Blog post

DOD Releases June Suicide Numbers and New Suicide Prevention Video
Posted by Paul Rieckhoff on July 26

The Army released its suicide totals for the month of June. Among active duty servicemembers, there were 21 potential suicides with one confirmed and 20 remaining under investigation.  Among the non-activated reserve component, there were 11 potential suicides with one confirmed and 10 remaining under investigation.  

These numbers are alarming, and if Army suicides continue at this rate for the remainder of FY2010, they may even surpass last year’s 30-year record rate of suicides in the Army. 

In an effort to raise awareness about this troubling issue, the Army has released a new suicide prevention video.  The new video features testimonials of servicemembers and families who have received help for psychological stress or assisted others in need.  Watch the video below.  However, more must be done.   

Since the start of the war, there have been a total of 249 confirmed military suicides in Iraq and Afghanistan, and far more among the military and veteran population as a whole.  Untreated psychological injuries have pushed both troops and veterans to take their own lives. 

IAVA continues to play a critical role in raising awareness about mental health injuries and the threat of suicide among the military’s ranks. Through our own historic Public Service Announcement (PSA) campaign with the Ad Council, IAVA raised awareness about the stigma of mental health injuries, and offers resources and peer support to those suffering from invisible wounds. IAVA’s Legislative Associate Tim Embree also recently testified before the House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations on the issue of suicide in the military and veterans’ community.   

In an effort to end the suicide epidemic, IAVA urges the VA and DOD to declare war on this problem. By launching a nationwide campaign to combat suicide and to promote the use of DOD and VA services such as Vet Centers and the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. The Army’s new suicide prevention video is a good first step, but until there is a national campaign targeting every servicemember and veteran, many will continue to fall through the cracks. 

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