U.S. Army: War at Home

Sources say U.S. Army suicides exceeded total combat deaths in Iraq and Afghanistan for January.

Hello, I’m Charlotte Bellis and you’re watching Newsy.com.

We’re tracking coverage from Mediastorm, MSNBC, Salon.com, NPR, and the ArmyTimes.

Suicide in the U.S. Army is increasing every year, with at least 128 suicides in 2008 alone.
That is twice the number of suicides from five years ago.
(MediaStorm)

According to MSNBC, the distinct characteristics of combat in Iraq and Afghanistan may be a reason for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD.

“The types of combat that our troops are in Iraq and in Afghanistan are a different kind of combat. [You are in battle for] 12-15 months. There are no linear battlefields. You don’t go to into combat for 72 or 96 hours like the first Gulf War and it’s over. Basically it’s continual combat, [and] you don’t know who the enemy is. That has led to, we believe, higher rates in PTSD, and one in three troops coming homes have these issues.” (MSNBC)

However, Salon.com questioned the treatment of soldiers who suffer from symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress.

“The Army was responding, for the most part, with disciplinary action rather than treatment, evincing little concern for possible underlying problems. The soldiers self-medicated further. Predictable outcomes followed.” (Salon.com)

NPR provides the perspective of a father whose son committed suicide in 2005.

“Military psychologists work for the employer. Their career is inherent on the decisions they make to ensure that soldiers go back to the front. That is an inherent conflict of interest, and I believe that conflict of interest prevents the provider from being a true advocate for the patient…” (NPR)

MSNBC takes that point further, looking at possible financial issues and policy at the Veteran’s Administration.

“There was a very well documented case that was exposed last year. A VA (Veteran’s Administration) in Texas purposely said ‘please don’t diagnose people straight out with PTSD’ because they didn’t have the money to pay for the benefits to the soldiers or the veterans once diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress. If you code someone with something like an adjustment disorder, then you don’t become eligible for VA disability for your lifetime.” (MSNBC)

Finally, the Army Times reports the Army is working to slow the trend, ordering beefed up suicide prevention training.
 
“We need to help our families and soldiers understand that it’s OK to ask for help,” … “It’s a tragedy, [and] we’re doing everything we possibly can to let soldiers know we’re here to help.”
Col. Cathy Abbott, Army Spokeswoman (Army Times)

So how should the United States care for soldiers with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder? Is enough being done?

We’d love to hear your thoughts on this story and be sure to check out our sources.