Suicides Still Plague US Army
VOA News 19 January 2011
U.S. Army officials says the number of suicides among active duty soldiers fell in 2010 for the first time in six years, while it rose significantly among those in the reserve forces.
Army vice-chief of staff Gen. Peter Chiarelli told reporters Wednesday that the Army had 343 suicides last year among soldiers, family members and civilians who work for the Army.
While there has been a decline among soldiers currently on active duty, Chiarelli said the number of suicides have doubled in the Army National Guard and Army Reserve forces.
The head of the Army Reserve, Lt. Gen. Jack Stultz, said one challenge is keeping in contact with the part-time soldiers who serve in the force, and report only once a month.
Chiarelli credits Army programs, including substance abuse counseling, for helping active duty soldiers. He said the force is looking for ways to continue expanding these resources.
Some information for this report was provided by AP.
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