Thursday, June 14, 2012

Supporting Our Troops

USA Today reports on a disturbing new Pentagon finding that the second leading cause of death for our troops deployed in Afghanistan and Iraq is suicide, second only to combat itself.  According to this report, since 2010, more soldiers die from suicide than traffic accidents, heart disease, cancer, homicide and other forms of death.  Suicides are happening at a rate of about 1 per day this year.  There were 154 confirmed or suspected suicides this year through June 3, while 127 soldiers died in Afghanistan.  Last year, 26% of military deaths took place in combat, 20% by suicide, and 17% in traffic accidents.  The percentage of suicide in 2005 was 10% lower compated to today.  Secretary of Defense, Leon Panetta, told Congress that he has directed all of the militray branches to "immediately look at that situation and determine what's behind it, what's causing it, and what we can do to make sure it doesn't happen."  He went on to say that suicide is "one of the most complex and urgent problems" he has to deal with.  This year the army alone is spending $75 million to understand why it is happening and what to do about it. 

In my ministry with Insight Christian Counseling and at Davisville Church I have worked with a number of soldiers who have come back from the front who have struggled with depression and suicide.  Just last week I was contacted by the parents of a 21 year old Marine who just completed his first combat tour.  Thankfully he is not struggling with suicide, but he is very depressed and very anxious compared to how he was prior to going into combat.  What strikes me as I talk to people in the military is how unequipped it is to deal with these issues.  In the USA Today article, Army Col. Carl Castro is quoted as saying, "We were slow to react (at first) because we weren't sure it was an anomoly or it was a real trend.  Then it just takes time to program the money and get the studies up and going.  Everything we do in suicide prevention, there's no evidence it works."  What a striking admission from the man who is leading the army's efforts to find effective forms of treatment and prevention. 

Pray for me as I work with this young Marine, and pray for all of our troops as many of them will be returning to life here in the US or leaving the military and adjusting to civilian life.  There are answers, and they are found in God and His word.  I have seen God transform a depressed, suicidal, angry soldier into a someone who is at peace with himself and a blessing to others. 

Blessings,
Dr. Paul