http://www.usatoday.com/news/military/story/2012-08-09/army-suicides/57096238/1 Quote from this site…
“Soldiers killed themselves at a rate faster than one per day in July, the Army announced Thursday. There were 38 deaths either confirmed or suspected as suicides, the highest one-month tally in recent Army history, the service said.”
One theory for the higher rate of suicide is that with the draw-down of troops from combat, soldiers are spending more time at home and the emotional challenges connected with readjustment are troublesome to say the least. Once a soldier returns home to begin life after war, it is critical for the community where he/she resides to provide the close care and attention they need to regain the right balance with the natural moral compass. Help them find a new mission! Get them involved with readjustment in highly proactive ways. Get them engaged in making a difference and helping others. Don’t ever let a soldier feel like a stranger to their own community! With a little “soul feeding” from the local community, there is a much better chance for returning combat veterans to resume a happy, healthy and productive civilian life after war…
Steve Sparks
Author
Reconciliation: A Son’s Story
