I can imagine that it can get really lonely out there specially when your life is on the line 24/7. It takes nothing for friends and family to send a note that they are thinking about them so do it!
International Level: Specialist / Political Participation: 41 4.1%
The rate of suicide among troops increased to its highest level in five years, the Pentagon says. The Pentagon attributed the overall spike in the rate to small increases in suicides across all the services. The report maintains that, adjusting for age and gender, the military's rate is roughly the same as American society. Source 7b.
Mental illness is a SERIOUS concern. It is not a joke, it is not something to make memes about or pass off as being 'not man enough' or 'not strong enough'. And what is more MANY among us have mental issues but because of social taboo the fear stops the treatment that can save lives.
International Level: International Guru / Political Participation: 3231 100%
Suicide spikes 15% among US troops in 2020 from the previous year. In 2020, 580 troops died by suicide compared with 504 in 2019, according to figures confirmed Wednesday night for USA TODAY by congressional and Defense Department sources. It's a troubling trend that has defied Pentagon initiatives to prevent service members from taking their own lives. Source 7c.
Four soldiers at an Alaska base died by suicide in October despite a surge in mental health help. The Army sent counselors and chaplains to Alaska in May after long wait times to see mental health providers and 17 deaths by suicide in 2021. Those efforts appeared to be paying off, with just one confirmed suicide through September. But then four deaths occurred last month. Source 2d.