Saturday, August 2, 2008

Australia:High number of digger suicides under scrutiny

High number of digger suicides under scrutiny
Frank Walker
August 3, 2008

THE Federal Government has promised a major inquiry into suicides among Defence Force veterans, including those who served in Afghanistan, Iraq and Timor.

There were 31 known suicides among returned service personnel between 2001 and 2006.

The Government admits the figure is probably much higher.

Veterans Affairs Minister Alan Griffin said the independent inquiry, to be headed by an academic with an understanding of mental health problems, should begin this month.

The announcement comes after the release last week of a report into the 2006 suicide of former special forces soldier, Signaller Geff Gregg, 25.

He was discharged on health grounds in 2004 after he was traumatised over his part in a 2002 firefight in which Afghan civilians were killed.
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