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Pentagon chief 'deeply concerned' by sharp rise in suicides among US troops
Also: 'Mental health is health. Period.' Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin decries stigma in message to troops (USA Today)
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Source: The Guardian
Pentagon chief ‘deeply concerned’ by sharp rise in suicides among US troops
Defense department promises improvements in quality of life and mental health help on army bases
Maya Yang
Mon 26 Jul 2021 20.30 BST
The defense secretary, Lloyd Austin, has expressed concern about the alarming spike in suicides among US forces.
In 2020, 385 active-duty soldiers died by suicide, marking a steep increase from the 326 cases reported by the Pentagon in 2018.
“I’m deeply concerned about the suicide rates, not only here but across the force,” Austin said over the weekend on a visit to the Eielson air base in Alaska. Since 30 December, at least six soldiers have died by probable suicide in Alaska.
“One loss by suicide is too many. While we’re working hard on this problem, we have a lot more to do,” he added.
According to the defense department, stress factors for troops include the unpredictability of life in the military. Speaking on condition of anonymity to USA Today, an official also cited commanders’ increasingly aggressive demands for more forces, largely due to the rise of Chinese influence.
-snip-
Defense department promises improvements in quality of life and mental health help on army bases
Maya Yang
Mon 26 Jul 2021 20.30 BST
The defense secretary, Lloyd Austin, has expressed concern about the alarming spike in suicides among US forces.
In 2020, 385 active-duty soldiers died by suicide, marking a steep increase from the 326 cases reported by the Pentagon in 2018.
“I’m deeply concerned about the suicide rates, not only here but across the force,” Austin said over the weekend on a visit to the Eielson air base in Alaska. Since 30 December, at least six soldiers have died by probable suicide in Alaska.
“One loss by suicide is too many. While we’re working hard on this problem, we have a lot more to do,” he added.
According to the defense department, stress factors for troops include the unpredictability of life in the military. Speaking on condition of anonymity to USA Today, an official also cited commanders’ increasingly aggressive demands for more forces, largely due to the rise of Chinese influence.
-snip-
Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jul/26/defense-secretary-concerned-rise-suicides-us-troops
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Source: USA Today
'Mental health is health. Period.' Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin decries stigma in message to troops
Tom Vanden Brook, USA TODAY
Mon, July 26, 2021, 10:42 AM·3 min read
WASHINGTON – Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin expressed deep concern about suicide among troops during a visit to U.S. forces stationed in Alaska where there has been an alarming spike in those deaths.
At least six soldiers have died by probable suicide in Alaska since Dec. 30, and suicide is suspected in several others, USA TODAY has reported. That surge has followed several years of increases in suicide deaths among troops across the armed services.
In 2018, 326 active-duty troops died by suicide, with the toll increasing to 350 in 2019 and 385 in 2020, according to the most recent Pentagon figures. The number of suicide deaths fluctuates over time as investigations establish the cause of death.
Austin cited stress on troops and the stigma of seeking treatment for mental health issues as contributing factors. Last week, Army experts and Defense officials cited the stress caused by life in the military, demands for troops to confront China's rising influence and access to counseling.
-snip-
Tom Vanden Brook, USA TODAY
Mon, July 26, 2021, 10:42 AM·3 min read
WASHINGTON – Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin expressed deep concern about suicide among troops during a visit to U.S. forces stationed in Alaska where there has been an alarming spike in those deaths.
At least six soldiers have died by probable suicide in Alaska since Dec. 30, and suicide is suspected in several others, USA TODAY has reported. That surge has followed several years of increases in suicide deaths among troops across the armed services.
In 2018, 326 active-duty troops died by suicide, with the toll increasing to 350 in 2019 and 385 in 2020, according to the most recent Pentagon figures. The number of suicide deaths fluctuates over time as investigations establish the cause of death.
Austin cited stress on troops and the stigma of seeking treatment for mental health issues as contributing factors. Last week, Army experts and Defense officials cited the stress caused by life in the military, demands for troops to confront China's rising influence and access to counseling.
-snip-
Read more: https://news.yahoo.com/mental-health-health-period-defense-143743237.html