| First we learned in an Army Study that suicides among soldiers was at its highest peak in more than 20 years. Today, we find there was a 20 percent jump in suicides in the past year.
Reports the Associated Press:
More than a quarter of those -- about 34 -- did so while serving a tour of duty in Iraq, an increase from 27 in Iraq the previous year, according to the preliminary figures.
The report also showed an increase in the number of attempted suicides and self-injuries -- some 2,100 in 2007 compared to less than 1,500 the previous year and less than 500 in 2002.
The total of 121 suicides last year, if all are confirmed, would be double the 52 reported in 2001, before the Sept. 11 attacks prompted the Bush administration to launch its counter-terror war.
Let's be honest here, too. While the suicide rate among the military might not be too far off from the general population, the military has very stringent entrance screenings, to weed out those who have pre-existing mental conditions. Yes, some will get through, but the vast majority of troops have no suicidal tendencies or mental issues when they enter the service. For almost all of these suicide cases, it can be attributed to the Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder that took root when deployed.
This is an underreported cost of the war, and one which John McCain ought to address, as he ratchets up the winds of fighting this war without end, and starting new wars. Because whether you're for this war or against it, it's just simply a truth now that longer and repeated deployments is eating at the minds of our troops, and the help, or lack thereof, has been pathetic.
One very simple idea that would have helped relieve the mental burden of our troops (short of finding a way out of Iraq), and help them get the care that they need, is to give them substantial time off between deployments. Spend two years in Iraq, spend two years at home. And, on the homefront, aggressively test, treat, and monitor troops for mental injuries.
The bi-partisan Webb-Hagel "Dwell Time Amendment," which VoteVets.org has been leading the fight for, would go a long way towards providing much-needed relief for our troops. Sadly, John McCain opposed that amendment, too.
Even without dwell time, and a much deserved rest for our forces, we have got to be more diligent about mandatory and exhaustive screening of returning troops, and providing adequate care and monitoring.
As a decorated veteran, I know John McCain doesn't mean ill-will for our troops and veterans. But he and others who say they support the troops must address the crushing strain that they are putting our troops through. After all, how are we to defend America when many of our best and brightest troops keep taking their own lives? |
