Army suicide rates to hit record high this year.

Suicide rates may hit record highs this year. Did the recruiters tell you that war is hell?

From the 12/04/09 Psychiatric News

U.S. Army generals are unhappy with suicide rates among soldiers but look for hope in changing event patterns and new resilience training.

Suicides among U.S. soldiers are likely to reach a record number this year; however, Army leaders discern some changing patterns that may offer clues to prevention, said Army Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Peter Chiarelli at a Pentagon media briefing on November 17.

The Army reported 140 suicides this year among soldiers on active duty as of mid-November, compared with 143 in 2008. Moreover, 71 suicides were reported this year from among troops not on active duty, such as those discharged or in the Reserve or National Guard.

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For comparison, the suicide rate in the United States in the general population is about 10/100,000.