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March 05, 2009
Advocates say increase in PTSD cases is contributing to "staggering" military suicide rate
The Chattanooga (TN) Times Free Press (2/26, Gregory) reported, "An increasing number of veterans are surviving combat but not the after-effects -- namely post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)."
The "accompanying addictions or mood disorders" associated with PTSD "create a fatal recipe that veteran advocates say is contributing to a staggering suicide rate among military personnel." Currently, however, the US Army "is in the middle of a 'stand-down,' which requires that individual units devote a day between Feb. 15 and March 15 to suicide prevention training.
The stand-down will be followed by 120 days of 'chain teaching' across the entire Army." Veterans Affairs, meanwhile, "is publicizing a service-wide suicide prevention hotline."
Related Links:
- "Chattanooga: Stress syndrome, suicide physiologically linked," Lauren Gregory , Chatanooga Times free Press, February 26, 2009.
Posted by admin at March 5, 2009 03:55 PM