2012 Another Record Year for Military Suicides: 349 Died
Army Psychologist Critical of Military's Mishandling of PTSD Commits Suicide
The death of former Army doctor Peter Linnerooth, discharged in 2008 and highly critical of the military’s mishandling of mental health problems for soldiers returning from war, has been ruled a suicide. Linnerooth was, like the people he advocated for, suffering from PTSD.
Linnerooth’s death is one of the first military suicides of 2013, and particularly noteworthy as he had blasted the military as “criminally negligent” in the soaring suicide rates of recent years.
Military suicides have been a growing problem in recent years, with several record-breaking years noted as troops struggle with repeated deployments and the stress of being engaged in endless wars. 2012 was another record year, with Pentagon figures showing 349 suicides.
The military has faced enormous criticism for its treatment of mental health problems, stigmatizing those who seek help as “at risk” and often ignoring those struggling with post-war trauma.
Last 5 posts by Jason Ditz
- US Slams Russia's Missile Sales to Syria - May 17th, 2013
- Nine Killed, 70 Wounded in Bombings Near Kandahar - May 17th, 2013
- Envoy: Russia May Deploy Troops to Tajik-Afghan Border - May 17th, 2013
- Pentagon in Afghan Budget Crisis, Seeks to Shift $10 Billion in Funds - May 17th, 2013
- Nigeria Launching Massive Offensive Against Boko Haram - May 17th, 2013
Strider55
January 14th, 2013 at 11:56 pm
Many of the recent suicides have been people who never deployed to Iraqistan, so they must have had other issues. I suspect most felt trapped by the ongoing economic depression — either they wanted out of the military but saw how horrid the civilian job market is, or they were scheduled to be discharged in the upcoming drawdown and saw only a jobless, homeless future.
Tricky Dick
January 15th, 2013 at 10:02 am
The causes of the high suicide rate in the military seems to be very compex. Some have served in Iraq and Afghanistan, some have not. Some have served in Europe and Korea, some have not. Some are senior officers (colonels and generals), most are low-ranking enlisted men/women. Most are men, but some are women. And the worst cause is single car/motorcycle accidents. Most of those have not been unreported as suicides. After returning home, over 50,000 Vietnam vets died in single-car accidents, most were suicides. It appears the number of suicides may be higher than the 349 reported last year. In the last 10 years, over 60,000 vets have committed suicide.
byrd_bahls22
January 15th, 2013 at 11:41 am
This news wouldn't make any sensible person want to head for the recruitment centers. What a waste of lives. People are so brainwashed about the glory of "serving." Defense is one thing, but why is the US in Afghanistan again ?