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.

[revgerald]

Remember what Nobel Peace Prize Winner Kissinger said,"Military men are just dumb, stupid animals that we use as pawns in foreign policy." He is a big supporter of the troops.

[mom915]

Our government officers aren''t doing enough to provide the care our men and women deserve for serving their country. I know first hand because my 35 yr old son took his life in Jan, 2006 after serving his country and yes I agree that the military covers up more then what they should. Had they helped my son when he was there in Irag maybe just maybe he might still be alive today.

No one knows other then him and the others go threw over there and have to come home with nightmares, being jumpie, nervouse, loss of employment, fighting the VA system to allow benefits they rightful deserve. The endless proof lyes on the soldier to prove they need help but is told that the doctor can only see you every 5 months is a crime.
These soldiers need he help no sooning when they step on us soil not 1, 2. 0r 10 yrs later.
The families left behind to carry on with their loss is beyond anyones imagination. I carried my son 9 months, raised him to be a fine young man, to serve his country with pride and it angers me that our officials rather it be the military, or congress don''t even care enough to make our men and women in uniform their top priotity. Money is being spent on everything other then providing our sons and daughters in uniform the upmost medical care possible.
No amount of money can ever replace my son but it would of helped him in getting the treatment and needs met.

[blais_14590]

Soldiers medical needs are being overlooked everyday. Their files are mysteriously lost!Med Boards in reality can be overridden by commanders.A soldier is at the mercy of his superiors once he signs on the dotted line.I ask all young people to investigate before talking to high pressure recruiters.They are slick and tell you what you want to hear.Once in,you learn the real story and how you are no longer a person with a constitutional rights to protect you. You are reduced to property and are only two boots on the ground somewhere you may not want to and don''t you have to wonder why if so few soldiers are re-enlisting.It can''t be all that splendid.Just talk to some of themStop them at the airports or on the street.Talk to them.While your at it,shake their hands or give them a hug and thank them,because not only did they more than likely risk their lives for us,they took being belittled and their needs neglected.Ask your Presidential candidates as they come through your city what''s gonna be done about the military health care system and why so many soldiers end their lives.It was happening alot during the three weeks I stayed with my son near his base at Fort Campbell,KY.It is happening,but the military tries to keep it hush hush and out of the publics eye. It is heartbreaking.Force our candidates to take notice.Call Bob Dole or write,he suppose to be heading up the health care system with the military now.Just do something!Take a stand for god sakes!

[blais_14590]

Soldiers medical needs are being overlooked everyday. Their files are mysteriously lost!Med Boards in reality can be overridden by commanders.A soldier is at the mercy of his superiors once he signs on the dotted line.I ask all young people to investigate before talking to high pressure recruiters.They are slick and tell you what you want to hear.Once in,you learn the real story and how you are no longer a person with a constitutional rights to protect you. You are reduced to property and are only two boots on the ground somewhere you may not want to and don''t you have to wonder why if so few soldiers are re-enlisting.It can''t be all that splendid.Just talk to some of themStop them at the airports or on the street.Talk to them.While your at it,shake their hands or give them a hug and thank them,because not only did they more than likely risk their lives for us,they took being belittled and their needs neglected.Ask your Presidential candidates as they come through your city what''s gonna be done about the military health care system and why so many soldiers end their lives.It was happening alot during the three weeks I stayed with my son near his base at Fort Campbell,KY.It is happening,but the military tries to keep it hush hush and out of the publics eye. It is heartbreaking.Force our candidates to take notice.Call Bob Dole or write,he suppose to be heading up the health care system with the military now.Just do something!Take a stand for god sakes!

[blais_14590]

Soldiers medical needs are being overlooked everyday. Their files are mysteriously lost!Med Boards in reality can be overridden by commanders.A soldier is at the mercy of his superiors once he signs on the dotted line.I ask all young people to investigate before talking to high pressure recruiters.They are slick and tell you what you want to hear.Once in,you learn the real story and how you are no longer a person with a constitutional rights to protect you. You are reduced to property and are only two boots on the ground somewhere you may not want to and don''t you have to wonder why if so few soldiers are re-enlisting.It can''t be all that splendid.Just talk to some of themStop them at the airports or on the street.Talk to them.While your at it,shake their hands or give them a hug and thank them,because not only did they more than likely risk their lives for us,they took being belittled and their needs neglected.Ask your Presidential candidates as they come through your city what''s gonna be done about the military health care system and why so many soldiers end their lives.It was happening alot during the three weeks I stayed with my son near his base at Fort Campbell,KY.It is happening,but the military tries to keep it hush hush and out of the publics eye. It is heartbreaking.Force our candidates to take notice.Call Bob Dole or write,he suppose to be heading up the health care system with the military now.Just do something!Take a stand for god sakes!

[blais_14590]

Soldiers medical needs are being overlooked everyday. Their files are mysteriously lost!Med Boards in reality can be overridden by commanders.A soldier is at the mercy of his superiors once he signs on the dotted line.I ask all young people to investigate before talking to high pressure recruiters.They are slick and tell you what you want to hear.Once in,you learn the real story and how you are no longer a person with a constitutional rights to protect you. You are reduced to property and are only two boots on the ground somewhere you may not want to and don''t you have to wonder why if so few soldiers are re-enlisting.It can''t be all that splendid.Just talk to some of themStop them at the airports or on the street.Talk to them.While your at it,shake their hands or give them a hug and thank them,because not only did they more than likely risk their lives for us,they took being belittled and their needs neglected.Ask your Presidential candidates as they come through your city what''s gonna be done about the military health care system and why so many soldiers end their lives.It was happening alot during the three weeks I stayed with my son near his base at Fort Campbell,KY.It is happening,but the military tries to keep it hush hush and out of the publics eye. It is heartbreaking.Force our candidates to take notice.Call Bob Dole or write,he suppose to be heading up the health care system with the military now.Just do something!Take a stand for god sakes!

[blais_14590]

Soldiers medical needs are being overlooked everyday. Their files are mysteriously lost!Med Boards in reality can be overridden by commanders.A soldier is at the mercy of his superiors once he signs on the dotted line.I ask all young people to investigate before talking to high pressure recruiters.They are slick and tell you what you want to hear.Once in,you learn the real story and how you are no longer a person with a constitutional rights to protect you. You are reduced to property and are only two boots on the ground somewhere you may not want to and don''t you have to wonder why if so few soldiers are re-enlisting.It can''t be all that splendid.Just talk to some of themStop them at the airports or on the street.Talk to them.While your at it,shake their hands or give them a hug and thank them,because not only did they more than likely risk their lives for us,they took being belittled and their needs neglected.Ask your Presidential candidates as they come through your city what''s gonna be done about the military''s health care system and why so many soldiers end their lives.It was happening alot during the three weeks I stayed with my son near his base at Fort Campbell,KY.It is happening,but the military tries to keep it hush hush and out of the publics eye. It is heartbreaking.Force our candidates to take notice.Call Bob Dole or write,he suppose to be heading up the health care system with the military now.Just do something!Take a stand for god sakes!

[supportisp]

ISP is now working with the U.S. Army to help lower the suicide rate in the armed forces.

Please visit www.supportisp.org to learn more.

By donating to ISP you will be helping our troops.

[hbevis]

Posted by formrusmcsgt at 08:53 PM : Jan 31, 2008

What''''s up, can''''t find the shift key on your keyboard?

WHEN WRITING SOMETHING BESIDES A LETTER I USE THE CAPITAL LETTERS.

YOU ARE NOT THE ONLY ONE THAT GETS ONTO ME ABOUT THAT.
ANYWAY THAT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THIS REALLY BIG PROBLEM WE HAVE AS A NATION.

REGARDS,
HBEVIS

[formrusmcsgt]

Posted by hbevis at 08:45 PM : Jan 31, 2008

What''s up, can''t find the shift key on your keyboard?

[formrusmcsgt]

I am a modern woman, HOME with my family, taking care of them like I should be, not handing them over to some center to raise them. No wonder this country all gone to h.e.ll.

Posted by MyOpinion1 at 04:02 PM : Jan 31, 2008

Many women seem to be all for having babies as long as someone else will raise the babies for them.

No rented stranger can replace a mother.

[reesalc]

As a female Non-Commsissioned Officer in today''s army having served a tour in Iraq last year, this story makes me extremely sad. Sad because all LT. Whiteside had to do was say she needed help. Before we deploy we get at least 2 briefings on suicide and where to turn when we feel lost or need help. Then, when we get in theater we have at least 4 more briefings on suicide signs and prevention. Everyone takes this issue seriously. We love our brothers and sisters and although we realize that lives will be lost in battle, we do not accept losing lives to suicide or accidents.

On top of that enlisted soldiers are supposed to look up to our officers for leadership and guidance. Officers are supposed to set the example. Yet here is an educted woman with some life experience under her belt, who can''t handle a year of doing what she knowingly and willingly VOLUNTEERED to do.

It is disheartening to hear people using the military as an excuse for not being able to handle themselves. We should be exposing the greatness of the military to America, not giving dishonerable people a method to bring dsgrace to those of us that are honerable.

[gce65]

jankabenz:
That wouldn''t appear to be true if you look at the murder and suicide rates by firearms from around the world. All countries pale in comparison to the US. You could combine the top 10 or 15 and they would equal the US.

[jankebenz]

shoollord! you conveniently ignored the fact that in countries where guns are banned, crimminals still use them to commit crimes.The law abiding citizens don''t have guns yet plenty of people still get shot. Solid proof that outlawing guns only helps crime.

[jankebenz]

who" behind the instrument is a gun owner!~

Posted by schoollord at 03:44 PM : Jan 31, 2008

Your statement is very misleading and is used widely by anti gun advocates. It should be guns in the " possesion" of criminals which account for 96-98% of gun related violence and deaths. Over 90% of the guns used by criminals were illegaly obtained.The overwhelming source of gun related deaths in the U.S. is commited by crimminals. Irradicate crimminals and guns won''t be such a problem anymore.

[offtheback]

Posted by MyOpinion1 at 04:02 PM : Jan 31, 2008

I''m sure that says 2008 and not 1908

[truth-hurts]

****IMPEACH BUSH NOW***** pass it on!

[andrew_693]

The reason these people are commiting suicide is because they have seen so much sh.... and they can''t say or do anything about it. They have to look the other way when the cia torturer or blackwater mercenary is torturing someone, they have to suppress all the injustices commited daily in the name of oil. When they get back and realize that nobody really gives a sh... about their mission because simply people are not affected by this they fall into depression and thats when the government looks the other way in the hopes they will kill themselves in order to erase the problem.

[andrew_693]

For a country that claims to be beacon of happiness, religion and freedom it''s quite sad to see people arming themselves, living afraid all the time of being robbed of their so important material possessions that they will take to "heaven", it''s sad that they need to invade and kill other human beings to steal their oil in order to drive and maintain their beautiful round beer barreled shaped bodies. After all, being a fat slob hiding under the bed for fear all day watching foxnews must be a great example of happiness. If sitting all day watching tv eating happy meals don''t make you happy, well...there is always a dealer around the block ready to supply you with your happy pill or smokes so you can avoid the happy reality you live.

[offtheback]

Will Rogers
US humorist & showman (1879 - 1935)



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Posted by schoollord

Good old Will was a firearm owner as well...