Thursday, May 15, 2014

More than half military suicides in 2012 came after they got help

Suicide Event Report for 2012 offers stunning details. The claims made by others trying to defend what the military has been doing to "reduce" suicides are now clearly nothing more than that. Considering they have been pushing efforts even while the results prove they do not work, there can now be no doubt that what they have been doing, have in fact done more harm than good.
Numbers
As of 31 March 2013, the Armed Forces Medical Examiner Service (AFMES) identified 319 suicides among Active component Service members, 73 among Selected Reserve Service members, and 13 among National Guard Service members. The rate of suicide, per 100,000 Service members, in each of the aforementioned components was as follows: Active component – 22.7, Reserve – 19.3, and National Guard – 28.1. The suicide rates for the Active component of the four Services, per 100,000 Service members, were as follows: Air Force – 15.0, Army – 29.7, Marine Corps – 24.3, Navy – 17.8. The number of suicides for the Reserve components for each Service were too small (n < 20) for the calculation of rates, with the exception of the Air National Guard (19.1 per 100,000 Service members), Army Reserve (24.7 per 100,000 Service members), and the Army National Guard (30.8 per 100,000 Service members).
Had mental health help
In 134 DoDSERs (42.1%), the decedent was known to have had a behavioral health diagnosis. A total of 73 DoDSERs (23.0%) reported a history of substance abuse and 43 (13.5%) indicated a history of prior self-injury. Figure 3 presents the annual proportions of DoDSERs (2008-2012) where a behavioral health diagnosis, a history of substance abuse, or a history of prior self-injury was reported.

A total of 194 decedents (61.0%) accessed physical, mental, or other support services in the 90 days prior to the event. Figure 4 displays the annual proportion of DoDSERs (2008-2012) where accession of services was reported in the 90 days prior to the event. Ninety-three decedents (29.2%) were reported to have ever taken psychotropic medications. A total of 63 decedents (19.8%) were known to have used psychotropic medications within 90 days prior to suicide.
Deployment History
A total of 182 DoDSERs (57.2%) reported a history of any deployment (Table C5). In 151 DoDSERs (47.5%), the decedent had a history of deployment as part of OIF/OEF/OND. A total of 24 suicides (7.5%) occurred in theater; the majority of these events occurred in Afghanistan (n = 21; 87.5% of events that occurred in theater). In 43 DoDSERs (13.5%), the decedent had a known history of exposure to direct combat. Figure 6 displays the annual proportions of DoDSERs (2008-2012) that reported either a history of deployment as part of OEF/OIF/OND or direct combat exposure.

Pretty much sums up that what they are doing has not worked. Top that off with the fact these deaths came after enlistments went down and you get the idea.

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