More than study needed to aid servicemen, servicewomen
Lewis DiuguidDefense Secretary Leon Panetta has ordered all branches of the military to thoroughly pour over the mental health issues of U.S. servicemen and servicewomen.
Panetta’s order follows reports of suicides this year of U.S. military personnel exceeding combat deaths, according to Pentagon data obtained by The Associated Press. There were 154 suicides for active-duty troops in the first 155 days of this year, which was about 50 percent more than U.S. forces killed in action in Afghanistan.
The number spiked compared with 2010 and 2011 when suicides in the military had started to level off.
Panetta’s order is to look at the invisible wounds such as post traumatic stress disorder the injured brain syndrome of service personnel from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The increasing number of combat tours are a likely culprit. Heavy armor that troops wear has saved them from physical injuries and death, which had occurred in other wars, but soldiers have suffered brain injuries from the force of explosions.
This country has a moral obligation to do everything possible for the servicemen and servicewomen who have made tremendous sacrifices for this nation.
Shelby Cain
11 months, 3 weeks agoShelby Cain via Bette Beaver
Thanks for sharing your voice regarding this issue……far too little has been done……I know….I worked for VA in 2000 and we struggled then to get folks to take seriously “the walking wounded” in all military services…..I’ve been doing this since 1984 and our communities continue to avert their eyes…….one does not pull onself up by one’s bootstraps……the bootstraps are used for far more horrendous outcomes……people need to know and I thank you.