Distrubing News from the Army

A very disturbing report out from the Army this week. Here's a story about it in USA Today and also from the Post.

There has been a record number of suicides reported in the Army. It's the highest since the Army started counting in 1980.

From the Post article:

"We see a lot of things that are going on in the war which do contribute _ mainly the longtime and multiple deployments away from home, exposure to really terrifying and horrifying things, the easy availability of loaded weapons and a force that's very, very busy right now," said Col. Elspeth Ritchie psychiatric consultant to the Army surgeon general.

The incredible strain the wars are putting on our troops is simply unacceptable. It once again shows the whirlwind we are reaping from the lack of proper planning by the Bush Administration in every aspect of this war.

About the only good thing that can be said is the Army has recognized the problem and is aggressively taking steps to try (try being the operative word here) to combat this issue:

The efforts include more training and education programs for troops and their families. Officials also have hired more mental health workers, increased screening to measure the psychological health of soldiers and worked to reduce any stigma that keeps them from going for treatment when they have symptoms of depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress and other emotional problems.

It seems once again we have failed our soldiers. It seems once again this administration in particular has failed them. Thankfully this administration's days are numbered. Let's hope the next one will immediately take steps to really and truly support our troops.