When you add in Afghanistan, that 2009 total is at least 339. In June of this year alone, 32 active-duty American troops in Iraq committed suicide. According to this story, there are five times as many failed suicide attempts as successful ones. The rate of suicide in the military is double the civilian rate.
Sad.
I have a friend who counsels military families. He says this is just the tip of the iceberg. As warriors return home, worst is yet to come.
Spouse abuse is a huge problem too.
Try to imagine the adjustment a warrior must go through on returning to “normal” life.
Sad.
Oh, absolutely. The suicide rate among Iraq/Afghanistan veterans is even higher and likely to get worse.