Military Suicide
Ever since American involvement in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, suicides have been plaguing the service, surpassing the rates for the general population. While many government departments have been taking an effort to assist in prevention of military suicide, the citizens of America are oblivious to the fact. These suicides, both active duty and veterans, are important to become aware of in order to intervene and assist those in need. Americans need to become aware of the suicides performed in the military as it is an ever growing epidemic.
In America, nearly 1 in 5 adults will experience a mental illness in their lifetime. 1 in 25 adults will live with a serious mental illness. 6.9% of American adults will live with major depression and 18.1% will live with an anxiety disorder (Nami). After a data analysis funded by the Department of Defense was conducted, the data suggested that the high rates of military suicide are directly correlated with underlying mental health issues in the United States. …show more content…
While there are many different theories, one shocking theory is that mental health medicine is likely the cause. Dr. Bart Billings, a retired Army psychologist who has worked with many veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, states that “there is ‘a direct correlation’ between the increased use of psychiatric medications to treat PTSD and the high rate of military suicides.” There has been an increase of prescriptions since 2005 that “coincides with the gradual increase, to this day, of suicides in the military.” Billings continued. These drugs, are involved in around 80% suicides in general. Billings also added that “the danger of suicide is compounded for combat veterans who have suffered traumatic brain injuries” (Hollingsworth). The combination of the prescription drugs and brain injuries are likely the cause of the drastic surge of
Ever since American involvement in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, suicides have been plaguing the service, surpassing the rates for the general population. While many government departments have been taking an effort to assist in prevention of military suicide, the citizens of America are oblivious to the fact. These suicides, both active duty and veterans, are important to become aware of in order to intervene and assist those in need. Americans need to become aware of the suicides performed in the military as it is an ever growing epidemic.
In America, nearly 1 in 5 adults will experience a mental illness in their lifetime. 1 in 25 adults will live with a serious mental illness. 6.9% of American adults will live with major depression and 18.1% will live with an anxiety disorder (Nami). After a data analysis funded by the Department of Defense was conducted, the data suggested that the high rates of military suicide are directly correlated with underlying mental health issues in the United States. …show more content…
While there are many different theories, one shocking theory is that mental health medicine is likely the cause. Dr. Bart Billings, a retired Army psychologist who has worked with many veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, states that “there is ‘a direct correlation’ between the increased use of psychiatric medications to treat PTSD and the high rate of military suicides.” There has been an increase of prescriptions since 2005 that “coincides with the gradual increase, to this day, of suicides in the military.” Billings continued. These drugs, are involved in around 80% suicides in general. Billings also added that “the danger of suicide is compounded for combat veterans who have suffered traumatic brain injuries” (Hollingsworth). The combination of the prescription drugs and brain injuries are likely the cause of the drastic surge of