Soldier Suicide Attempts Skyrocket

CBS News And Washington Post: Staggering New Army Numbers Show Serious Problem

(CBS)  CBS News broke the story of the epidemic of suicides and attempted suicides among veterans in November.

New internal Army figures illustrate how serious the problem has become among active military servicemembers. It's part of an exclusive report that will appear in Thursday's Washington Post and on washingtonpost.com.

CBS News national security correspondent David Martin has one soldier's harrowing story - and that of her struggle to get help.

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Lt. Elizabeth Whiteside was admitted to the psychiatric lockdown ward at Walter Reed Army Medical center after trying to kill herself earlier this week, Martin reports.

"She took two weeks worth of medicines - four different medications... and she took them all at once," her father, Tom Whiteside, said.

He holds a note she left, reading in part: "I'm very disappointed with the Army."

He says her suicide attempt was brought on by the stress of waiting to find out if she would be court-martialed for an earlier attempt to kill herself.

"It became sodistressing to my daughter, it just drove her over the edge and, um, she attempted to take her own life," Whiteside said.

Lt. Whiteside is the latest in the epidemic of attempted suicides and self-injuries by soldiers.

According to internal Army documents, the number has gone from less than 500 in 2002 to more than 2,000 last year. The number of actual suicides is also climbing, and the Army's suicide rate is higher than at any time in the past 25 years.

But Lt. Elizabeth Whiteside is more than just a number. Hers is a shocking story of how the Army dealt with one case of mental illness.

She first tried to kill herself a year ago while serving in Iraq.

"I had a psychotic break and shot myself," she said. "I also ... discharged my weapon twice and put two bullets in the ceiling."

She told her story to Washington Post reporter Dana Priest, who was the first to report that the Army wanted to courtmarshall Whiteside for brandishing her weapon.

Said Priest: "Her commander said in the charges that he brought, 'I realize that people have said that you were mentally ill, but this is an excuse for your actions.'"

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Read Dana Priest's full investigative story at WashingtonPost.com.
Read a timeline of events surrounding the case of Lt. Whiteside.

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The hearing officer dismissed the charges, but that ruling had to be approved up the chain of command, and the Whitesides were left dangling.

"I want them to make a decision," Tom Whiteside said. "They have driven my daughter into suicide. I would like to get this issue resolved."

Minutes after the interview ended, Whiteside received a call telling him the charges against his daughter have been dropped."

"But what a God damn shame that we had to go to this extent," he said into the telephone.

He left immediately for the hospital to give his daughter the news - although he won't be able to see her because she's still in lockdown.

[sandyen]

It''s not just the Army soldiers who are desparately trying to cope with depression and thought of suicide (or worse)... I have a family member (Marine) going thru the same thing... so are his friends.

[sandyen]

Nobody wants to talk of this stuff... they''d rather examine photos to see whether Obama was "dissing" Hillary... will somebody get serious!

[gigglygibbon]

Hi, my name is Tiffany Gibbon. I am currently serving in the Air Force. I was sexually assaulted by another airman in August. The Air Force handled it all wrong by not letting me move out of the dorms which the guy lived one floor down from me. They moved him away from me two months later. I became depressed and gained 40 lbs which I am trying to get off of me now even though I am still depressed. Today it came down my chain of command that I was too fat and I needed to keep a chart of all my food intake and workouts.

[theresaj22]

Thank you for your story on suicide and our soldiers. My son and many of his friends that are back from Iraq are struggling. The majority of them have turned to drinking, not my son, he''s the one that took a few down to the VA hospital for counseling. The VA cancels their appointments. They need help and I can see where our system fails our soldiers. I see more and more on the news about this but very little has been done to assist them.

[inventagod]

It all boils down to saluting a chimp and having to smile...

[trexie20]

According to internal Army documents, the number has gone from less than 500 in 2002 to more than 2,000 last year. The number of actual suicides is also climbing, and the Army''s suicide rate is higher than at any time in the past 25 years.

Why don''t the Army give the actual number of suicides? are they ashamed to admit that they are torturing our soldiers like they are prisoners of war?
and this right here
"Her commander said in the charges that he brought, ''I realize that people have said that you were mentally ill, but this is an excuse for your actions.''"
does he not know that mental illness is a desease and is not controlable by the victim. A DESEASE IS NOT AN EXCUSE IT IS A DESEASE.
SEEMS TO ME THIS GUY IS NOT QUALIFIED FOR HIS POSITION IN THE ARMY, AND WHO EVER PROMOTED HIM TO THAT POSITIONED OUGHT TO BE KICKED OUT OF THE ARMY ALSO.
SOUNDS LIKE A BUNCH OF JAR HEADS

[taylpatr]

Maybe if ANY of the people that are pushing this war had actually done some combat time themselves, they would be a little more understanding of the problems these kids are facing. But since every person on the Bush team is either a coward or a draft dodger or both, as in the case of Bush and Cheney, it ain''t gonna happen. I pray for these kids. I prayed for Bush and Cheney too, but they''re still sucking air, so I guess it didn''t work.

[j31478]

Thank you so much for your story. But someone has to stay on this and help our men and women who are serving our country . My son killed himself while serving in the air guard he was full time and they knew he was having problems and did nothing. Let alone notify me who was down as 1st to notify.Please stay on this story and maybe someone else can be saved too. thank you.

[micma-2009]

Don''t worry America, these thousands of broken Americans coming home from the Bush/Republican boondoggle aren''t going to need any help. Bush is going to send them all home with a nice little "support the troops" bumper sticker. It will all be fine.

[j31478]

I''m so sorry for the parents not being able to see their daughter she needs them, more now than ever.

[micma-2009]

Go back to sleep America.

[billp37]

Suicides in the army?

http://www.prosefights.org/banderet/banderet.htm


And do you want to know

How the Iraq/Iran War Got Started

http://www.prosefights.org/thecanadian/thecanadian.htm#gotstarted

[armywifee7]

So she tried to resign which was to be granted Until she found out that there would be limited benefits. So when that money train was derailed she and her father opted to use CBS! PATHETIC!!!

[gigglygibbon]

Honestly I don''t think until you have served in the military you can really judge how ppl deal with it. I dont care if you are a spouse or child its different being a service member.. and its usually harder on the lower ranks usually e4 and below

[mcv57]

. . . go to Iraq!

[duffyn]

I agree with people who say other people should not comment unless they have been in the military. The horrible awful disgusting things people do to one another in war I am positive can deeply affect certain people''s minds. And I am pretty sure Armyswife is not one and knows nothing of the military. The VA is one of the worst place for health care in the US and a disabilty check is an insult for what our soldiers go through.

[micma-2009]

Don''''t worry America, these thousands of broken Americans coming home from the Bush/Republican boondoggle aren''''t going to need any help. Bush is going to send them all home with a nice little "support the troops" bumper sticker. It will all be fine.


You can go back to sleep now. It was all just a bad dream.

[armywifee7]

MCV57!! I Did try to enlist, but the military will not accept a Amputee! But, my husband has been serving 20+ years active duty and my 20 year old daughter is on her 4th year! But The PROUD ARMY WIFE AND MOTHER I AM. SAYS GOD BLESS AMERICA AND THANK YOU SOLDIERS WHO DO THEIR TOURS, THEIR JOB TO PROTECT IDIOTS LIKE YOU!

[feather18]

Excellent work by the investigators in bringing this issue to the public and bringing it back again. My son served with the Marines (proudly) for 4 years with 2 tours in Iraq. He came home with a chest full of medals and ribbons, some serious physical injuries and severe PTSD and probable closed head trauma From his return in2/06 until his honorable discharge in 6/07 he had to fight to receive only 2 TWO! councelling sessions waited months for surgical repair on his leg which became infected and required a 2nd surgery. and finally 2 weeks prior to discharge they gave him a Rx for a medication to help him with his PTSD symptoms, which it didn''t only tuned him into a walking zombie and told him to see the VA when he got out. 7 months later he is worse than ever severely depressed a walking time bomb, no job no way to support his family suffers horrible nightmares and waking flashbacks Where is his help before it becomes too late for him?He is still a proud Marine, as they all are but politics lack of funding lack of staff and caring,and no follow up on these heroes as well as lack of preparation by all branches of the military and the VA is creating a disgraceful catastrophe for this generation of American Heroes!

[armywifee7]

Duffynite when did you become my neighbor? LOL Since you know me or YOUR PRETTY SURE"

"And I am pretty sure Armyswife is not one and knows nothing of the military. The VA is one of the worst place for health care in the US and a disabilty check is an insult for what our soldiers go through."

Funny how she was willing to resign until she realized that she had limited benifits! They failed to tell us why she attempted to kill herself before... BET THEY COULDNT BLAME IT ON THE ARMY THEN!

[micma-2009]

ArmywifeE7

We''ve seen you in here before. We know you are a lier. Why don''t you make yourself useful and sign up chickenhawk? Maybe then, one less mother would have to see her son or daughters life wasted for nothing.

[micma-2009]

Bush''s boondoggle is stretching our military to the brink of collapse. Keeping people in combat this long is simply going to break them.

[sgtrds]

I guess they figure that it''s better to die by your own hand then to die in vain in Bush''s war.

[hk94]

While I am concerned about the suicide rate and it''s increase, I am concerned that this article incorrectly leaves the inpression our servering military and verterans are coming home as suicidal maniacs.

The truth is that the suicide rate per 100,000 people for the age range 20-34 (the vast majority of the Armies population) in the US is 21 per 100,000. The rate for the army is roughly half that at 11 per 100,000.

I do not say this to lessen concern, I just want to make sure people have the whole picture of the quality of our veterans.

[armywifee7]

We''''ve seen you in here before. We know you are a lier. Maybe then, one less mother would have to see her son or daughters life wasted for nothing.

LOL I hate to disappoint you but i actually registered to post tonight (armywife was already taken for a login so i added e7!) so I am gonna put you micma in with mcv57 and duffynite IN A group! YOU KNOW STUPID UNENTELLIGENT PEOPLE SAY STUPID STUFF. AND AS FOR MY DAUGHTER HER WORDS TO YOU WOULD BE ''IF IT WERE BETWEEN MY COUNTRY AND YOU. YOU MY FRIEND WOULD BE GONE!!

[battyellison]

I think John McCain might have ptsd he''s not in his right frame of mind when all he ever talks about is war war war and the country is going down the tube and his response to that is war war war

[micma-2009]

ArmywifeE7


What''s that? I don''t speak chickenhawk. Did you say, "squawwk squawwk..Bush is the decider..squawwk squawwk..send your children to die for him...squawwk squawwk.."?


Thought so.


Lol!

[ktm21-2009]

Did anyone look at the common medications these soldiers were taking such as SINGULAIR for breathing problems and allergys.This drug has suicidal thoughts and actions and depression as side effects and it is not well known to most prescribing Doctors to give warnings about this drug.The adverse effects of this drug are very understated and are just now coming to light .Please just maybe inquire,these soldiers are in an enviroment where breathing problems occur and like I said this drug just changed the side effects in september 2007 and it has been out since 1998,it is a heavily prescibed drug!!!!!!!!!!!!! Our soldiers are worth the effort of researching this, they certainly put themselves out for AMERICANS so someone could step up and take this serious.

[micma-2009]

According to internal Army documents, the number has gone from less than 500 in 2002 to more than 2,000 last year. The number of actual suicides is also climbing, and the Army''s suicide rate is higher than at any time in the past 25 years.

This is because they are keeping them in combat well beyond what the Pentagon''s own readiness standards recommend. They no that extended terms like this break soldiers. But they simply don''t care because these troops are just cannon fodder to them. Meat for the meat grinder.

[ioweign]

While I am concerned about the suicide rate and it''''s increase, I am concerned that this article incorrectly leaves the inpression our servering military and verterans are coming home as suicidal maniacs.

The truth is that the suicide rate per 100,000 people for the age range 20-34 (the vast majority of the Armies population) in the US is 21 per 100,000. The rate for the army is roughly half that at 11 per 100,000.

I do not say this to lessen concern, I just want to make sure people have the whole picture of the quality of our veterans.

Posted by HK94 at 07:53 PM : Jan 30, 2008


But what was the Army suicide rate in 1998, 1999 and 2000 prior to Iraq. I enlisted in the Navy in 1968 and for about three or four days you had nothing but mental and physical tests screening out potential problems. What kind of screening is taking place now in the military??

[armywifee7]

ok its been the Armys fault, Bush''s fault, McCains fault so far. Why is it so hard to accept the fact that some people are sick. ITS A BLAME GAME!! LIBERAL BLAME GAME!!! YOU DONT SEE ARTICLES ABOUT SUSICIDE GET ATTENTION UNLESS IT HAS TO DUE WITH THE WAR!!! GET MY POINT NOW SHAME ON ALL OF YOU! ITS A PROBLEM EVERY WHERE, EVERY DAY TO NORMAL CITIZENS, BUT SINCE SHE IS IN THE ARMY AND THE ARMY WAS WILLING TO DISCHARGE HER WITH LIMITED BENEFITS SHE WENT TO THE MEDIA. WHY DONT SHE JUST DEPEND ON YOU TAX PAYING LIBERALS FOR HER MEDICAL CARE? As President Bush put it "THE IRS ACCEPTS CHECK AND MONEYORDERS".. lmao

[uradufuss]

And after all of his promises, and talk about patriotism, what is Bush doing about this? Nothing. He talks as if we are being unpatriotic if we speak out against the war; but when these men come home, he turns his back and acts as if he does not know them.

[kansas1946]

According to internal Army documents, the number has gone from less than 500 in 2002 to more than 2,000 last year. The number of actual suicides is also climbing, and the Army''s suicide rate is higher than at any time in the past 25 years.
***************************************

Well, gee. I wonder why. It doesn''t take a genius to know that Bush has back our military into a hell on earth. That''s okay. You Republicans just keep "supporting the troops" the way you have been doing by cheering for this idiot president, and pretty soon their won''t be any troops to support.

[mcv57]

Why don''t you go to Iraq too, perhaps after you get your legs and arms blow-off for a drunk and profiteer, then you recognize the FOOL in the your mirror.

[armywifee7]

MICME lol

squawwk squawwk..send your children to die for him...squawwk squawwk..

TOO BAD WE CANT SEND IGNORATE, UNEDUCATED, UNGRATEFUL, UNAPPRECIATIVE PEOPLE LIKE YOU TO WAR! IM SURE SOME ONE IN IRAQ WOULD LOVE TO HAVE CONVERSATION WITH YOU! BUT AGAIN MY DAUGHTER WILL FIGHT AND IF NEEDED GIVE HER LIFE FOR MORONS LIKE YOU! AGAIN JUST PATHETIC YOU ARE!

[ioweign]

ok its been the Armys fault, Bush''''s fault, McCains fault so far. Why is it so hard to accept the fact that some people are sick. ITS A BLAME GAME!! LIBERAL BLAME GAME!!! YOU DONT SEE ARTICLES ABOUT SUSICIDE GET ATTENTION UNLESS IT HAS TO DUE WITH THE WAR!!! GET MY POINT NOW SHAME ON ALL OF YOU! ITS A PROBLEM EVERY WHERE, EVERY DAY TO NORMAL CITIZENS, BUT SINCE SHE IS IN THE ARMY AND THE ARMY WAS WILLING TO DISCHARGE HER WITH LIMITED BENEFITS SHE WENT TO THE MEDIA. WHY DONT SHE JUST DEPEND ON YOU TAX PAYING LIBERALS FOR HER MEDICAL CARE? As President Bush put it "THE IRS ACCEPTS CHECK AND MONEYORDERS".. lmao

Posted by ArmywifeE7 at 08:09 PM : Jan 30, 2008

A blame game ??

Is it a blame game when the Army lowers its standards and recruits individuals that could possibly put your daughter in harms way by their behavior and they are not capable of doing their job with your daughter.

Hoorah !!

[armywifee7]

MCV I CANT FOR THE LIFE OF ME FIGURE OUT WHY OUR SOLDIERS PROTECT THE FOOLS LIKE YOU (HAVE YOU LOOKED IN THE MIRROR TODAY?) GOD BLESS OUR TROOPS!!!!

[gigglygibbon]

Military members who haven''t been to war are also suicidal so its not all about the war.. but the military does break down ppl as a whole.. and you may think im some stupid airman.. but i think about suicide because of my chain of command.. i have been thru more in my life before the military, but the military breaks you down til u feel weak and useless and you think it would be best to die..

[mcv57]

IM SURE SOME ONE IN IRAQ WOULD LOVE TO HAVE CONVERSATION WITH YOU! BUT AGAIN MY DAUGHTER WILL FIGHT AND IF NEEDED GIVE HER LIFE FOR MORONS LIKE YOU! AGAIN JUST PATHETIC YOU ARE!

Posted by ArmywifeE7

If anyone sounds like a moron, it is you. You are not protecting me, you and your mislead daughlter is protect the interest of rich oil deposits for the rich and corrupt government. You need to go get an education.


Why don''''t you go to Iraq too, perhaps after you get your legs and arms blow-off for a drunk and profiteer, then you recognize the FOOL in the your mirror.

[rowdytexan2]

http://www.agoracosmopolitan.com/home/Frontpage/2007/11/08/01932.html

Good God, did anybody else go read this?

[ut2gopher]

Go back in history on this subject say 1964-1984
1942-1963 as time lines. Why does any service or the V.A. really care? If we vets Die cost them zero the less care vets get more money for someone higher up. Yes I''ll a Nam Vet we have been fighting V.A. for a long time and them big boys in D.C. now are young vets get the same wait, wait we we are going to help
{ but hope ya die frist } with a smile! Too!

[mcv57]

MCV I CANT FOR THE LIFE OF ME FIGURE OUT WHY OUR SOLDIERS PROTECT THE FOOLS LIKE YOU (HAVE YOU LOOKED IN THE MIRROR TODAY?) GOD BLESS OUR TROOPS!!!!

Posted by ArmywifeE7

Get an education. Our troops are being exploited by the rich and corrupt government. I can''t believe you think is a war, WAKE-UP. This is about OIL, and if you go to college and read between the lines you will see how the U.S. government has destroyed this economy. Now I know why Roman soldiers maintain a nut like Nero in power, they were uneducated.

[ut2gopher]

Oh buy the way its on congress all the way!!!!!!!!!!!!

[carterarce]

I trickle lemonade looking liquid on this war.
It''s so easy to support bombing of people from the comfort of America.
I spray warm yellow liquid on people who like war and maiming and murdering children.
Go fight your war. Quit being a coward and just join up. Turn off your AM radio and cable TV and go join the military. You might as well get the most out of your taxes. Go shoot some bullets. Better yet, launch a missiles from 50 miles away so you don''t have to see the civilian deaths. Go!!!! Tomorrow!!!! GO!!! I am so sick of you war mongering punks.

God I pray for a draft.

[armywifee7]

MCV57 WROTE:
If anyone sounds like a moron, it is you. You are not protecting me, you and your mislead daughlter is protect the interest of rich oil deposits for the rich and corrupt government. You need to go get an education.

lol since you need NO PROTECTION HOP ON THE FIRST PLANE TO IRAQ AND SEE IF THERE YOU NEED NO PROTECTION, BUT MAKE SURE YOU FIRST WEAR A WHITE T-SHIRT THAT STATES THIS " I''M A US CITIZEN AND AN IDIOT!"

[rowdytexan2]

Posted by ArmywifeE7 at 08:29 PM : Jan 30, 2008

I''ve just read an article the proposes that to get his war in Iran Bush is ready to sacrifice the whole Navy Fifth Fleet.

How can you sit there and defend what this country has already done to it''s soldiers in the name of the Bush war mongerers and their DETERMINATION that the US has to continue to be the world superpower!!!!

Who gives a ***** about being a superpower...I want my kids and grandchildren to live in peace and respect!

[armywifee7]

MCV57 THERE IS NO FENCE AROUND THIS OIL WANTING NATION! GET THE HELL OUT IF YOU THINK ITS BETTER ON THE OTHER SIDE! C-YA! IM DONE WITH YOU AND YOUR PATHETIC SOB STORIES! ILL KISS MY SOLDIER HUSBAND AND DAUGHTER TONIGHT, PRAY FOR THOSE OVERSEAS AND THANK THEM ALL FOR PROTECTING YOUR STUPID A**!

[gigglygibbon]

armywife doesnt know any better its ok.. maybe one day she will know whats its like to lose a best friend, spouse, parent, a subling, or child to suicide.. i wish this upon no one but.. you need to wake up

[closethippy1]

ok its been the Armys fault, Bush''''''''s fault, McCains fault so far. Why is it so hard to accept the fact that some people are sick. ITS A BLAME GAME!! LIBERAL BLAME GAME!!! YOU DONT SEE ARTICLES ABOUT SUSICIDE GET ATTENTION UNLESS IT HAS TO DUE WITH THE WAR!!! GET MY POINT NOW SHAME ON ALL OF YOU! ITS A PROBLEM EVERY WHERE, EVERY DAY TO NORMAL CITIZENS, BUT SINCE SHE IS IN THE ARMY AND THE ARMY WAS WILLING TO DISCHARGE HER WITH LIMITED BENEFITS SHE WENT TO THE MEDIA. WHY DONT SHE JUST DEPEND ON YOU TAX PAYING LIBERALS FOR HER MEDICAL CARE? As President Bush put it "THE IRS ACCEPTS CHECK AND MONEYORDERS".. lmao
Posted by ArmywifeE7 at 08:09 PM : Jan 30, 2008

A blame game ??
Is it a blame game when the Army lowers its standards and recruits individuals that could possibly put your daughter in harms way by their behavior and they are not capable of doing their job with your daughter.
Hoorah !!
Posted by IOWEIGN at 08:17 PM : Jan 30, 2008

Good point. The guy who raped the Iraqi girl and killed her family was recruited after the army lower their standards so much so that they ended up recruting this rapist who had a criminal history.
It''s going to happen. Some new crazy recruit is going to rape or do who knows what to his fellow soldiers. I can see it coming.

[rowdytexan2]

Posted by ArmywifeE7 at 08:34 PM : Jan 30, 2008

Well, you''re damned lucky to be able to kiss them because many are over there fighting in that debacle. And if they get sent to the middle east you may just be able to kiss their a/s/s/ goodbye! There are many who will NEVER get to kiss their kids again because of this evil administration!!!!