Posted on Oct 30, 2017
Does military lifestyle in general cause more suicide than the general public? Why?
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I’ve read a couple of articles saying that high numbers of military suicide is not linked to deployment. Rather, service members who have been deployed, and those who have not, are at equal rick of suicide. What are your thoughts? Does military lifestyle in general cause more suicide than the general public? Why? Discuss.
Deployment
Suicide
Stop Soldier Suicide
Posted 7 y ago
Responses: 9
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Yes. The culture shock, responsibility, and lack of freedom in general can all be high stressors for those that are unable to adapt easily. The military is an amazing family with a myriad of resources for virtually any problem, whether it be professional, personal, financial, etc... However, many new soldiers are either unaware of these resources or afraid to use them. It is a very sad situation.
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An addition to your statement about this...some reasons why people are afraid to use those resources is due to some of the "old timers" practically shaming Soldiers for wanting to get help and accuse them of being weak.
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22 suicides per day since VA report in 199?= more dead than all the KIA from Korea, Vietnam, GW1 and GWOT, over 160k. Age from 19 to 60+. PTSD, depression, stock market crash, recession= lack of resiliency. Job is stressful, do or die, I served in 4 conflicts, my former troops have multiple deployments, some have 8 or more. It takes a toll on you, I tried suicide once, one of my friends tried 3 times, and have buried several that went suicide by cop. There are times being strong isn't enough, getting help is the key to making it, when you know you have a problem.
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SMSgt Lawrence McCarter
It seems the more excessive number of deployments and overuse and lack of concern for troops sure doesn't help. In combat people see some thing no human being should ever have to see and if there was stress from earlier trips sending them back again doesn't make it better. Also on friend of mine that was in the Marines and an NCO after the 5th time In the Mid East He did get hurt, He handled it but He said, "How many times can I tempt fate until I get killed ?" He had planned on making a career out of the Marines but He said "I don't have a Death Wish" He never tried to do anything to Himself but not everyone can handle things the same way. When national or military leaders stop being concerned with their own troops and their welfare , We have a huge problem !
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The military, whether having been to combat or not, is a stressful career choice. There is no doubt that the lifestyle and all of the demands that it has on service members probably plays into the rate of suicide. I've known of soldiers who never deployed who went through with the deed because of financial or relationship issues and I've known soldiers who went through with it after deployment for any number of reasons. Life can get hard. Life in service to the military can get harder.
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SMSgt Lawrence McCarter
Very true, even in the peacetime service I been at scenes on My USAF Security Police Duties when people have killed themselves or other where they tried and survived. Some esp when firearms or knifes were used were pretty messy or one that We found in an abandoned Military barracks in a warm climate and while on patrol the smell gave it away. After a tour in Viet Nam I knew that smell, You don't forget that. i found Him. There are lots of reasons people may get depressed and need support. Later as a civilian Police Officer was a scenes also of suicides, I've seen more than enough to last Me a lifetime.
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