U.S. Soldiers' Suicide Rate Is Up in Iraq

[kskiska]

Thursday January 15, 2004 3:31 AM

WASHINGTON (AP) - U.S. soldiers in Iraq are killing themselves at a high rate despite the work of special teams sent to help troops deal with combat stress, the Pentagon's top doctor said Wednesday.

Meanwhile, about 2,500 soldiers who have returned from the war on terrorism are having to wait for medical care at bases in the United States, said Dr. William Winkenwerder, assistant secretary of defense for health affairs. The problem of troops on ``medical extension'' is likely to get worse as the Pentagon rotates hundreds of thousands of troops into and out of Iraq this spring, he said.

(snip)

Suicide has become such a pressing issue that the Army sent an assessment team to Iraq late last year to see if anything more could be done to prevent troops from killing themselves. The Army also began offering more counseling to returning troops after several soldiers at Fort Bragg, N.C., killed their wives and themselves after returning home from Afghanistan.

Winkenwerder said the military has documented 21 suicides during 2003 among troops involved in the Iraq war. Eighteen of those were Army soldiers, he said.

more…
http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,1280,-3626491,00.html

[Mari333]

1. Every drop of blood shed

every soldier and civilian that dies or is wounded
for this war for nothing
is on the hands of the bUsh admin, the press in the US that refuses to print this or show it, and every asshole that votes for that SOB or voted for him.

[lovedems]

2. I think there is a reason rotations normally last 6 months

and they are keeping them there for 12? (I remember reading that rotations were lasting longer) How much combat can you take? How long can you stand looking over your shoulder? Not sleeping? Fearful everytime you leave your base? Eating crappy meals? Not having the proper equipment? I am sure my list could go on! I know I couldn't take it.

[The Backlash Cometh]

3. "Catch 22" should be required reading for ALL Americans.

It hits the target on what's happening to our soldiers.

Then they should also read "1984." And for kicks, anyone who gets an outsourced American job should read, "Animal Farm."

[goforit]

4. They have chosen not to march for Satan (W)

I do believe that would be the only reason to commit such a
horrid act.

True valient men.

[tritsofme]

5. It must be horrible over there,

The burden of criminally occupying and maybe even killing dozens of civilians must be horrible to bear.

[JailForBush]

6. I wonder if the sucide rate has increased here at home.

I certainly expect a few suicides if George W. Asshole steals the White House again.

[caledesi]

7. Am I surprised? Uh, no. That b*stard....you know who I mean. nt

[Moderator]

8. Duplicate

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=313720