Plan to institute military oath against suicide could backfire, some experts say
Source: Stars and Stripes
Plan to institute military oath against suicide could backfire, some experts say
By NIKKI WENTLING | STARS AND STRIPES
Published: August 10, 2017
WASHINGTON — A congressman who served in Afghanistan is championing an idea to request departing servicemembers sign an oath not to harm themselves, as a method to deter veteran suicides.
But some suicide prevention experts contend the plan is likely to do the opposite.
Rep. Brian Mast, R-Fla., who took office this January, is an Army veteran who lost both of his legs in 2010 from a roadside bomb explosion in Kandahar. When promoting the “Oath of Exit” on the House floor last month, Mast said servicemembers are known for honoring their commitments – and if they commit to contacting fellow veterans before harming themselves, they’d do it.
Though it’s well-intentioned, the oath – essentially a no-suicide contract – is an outdated notion proven not to work, and it could even backfire, some experts said.
Read more: https://www.stripes.com/news/plan-to-institute-military-oath-against-suicide-could-backfire-some-experts-say-1.482252#.WYyBxVF97IU
= new reply since forum marked as read
I suppose is saves a ton of money over actually providing people the psychiatric treatment and emotional support they need.
He'll say "See!!! I did something!!".
