![]() Some are purely recreational, such as an annual fishing tournament in Alaska designed to provide fresh air and socialization for service members. ![]() ![]() Much like the issue of food insecurity in military families, a network of military-adjacent charitable organizations has tried to fill the gaps with a variety of programs and outreach efforts. And those who seek help often find that stigma is not only real, but compounded by bureaucratic obstacles. Many soldiers fear the stigma of admitting to mental health issues within the internal military culture of self-sufficiency. But daunting long-term challenges remain. #EMCEE SCRIPT FOR ANNUAL PARTY HOW TO#Last year the Army issued fresh guidelines to its commanders on how to handle mental health issues in the ranks, complete with briefing slides and a script. “It is imperative that we take care of all our teammates and continue to reinforce that mental health and suicide prevention remain a key priority,” Austin wrote in March. But Austin has publicly acknowledged that the Pentagon’s current mental health offerings - including a Defense Suicide Prevention Office established in 2011 - have proven insufficient. The Pentagon did not respond to repeated requests for comment. ![]() The study detailed stress factors particular to military life: “high exposure to trauma - mental, physical, moral, and sexual - stress and burnout, the influence of the military’s hegemonic masculine culture, continued access to guns, and the difficulty of reintegrating into civilian life.” In longtime suicide hotspot postings such as Alaska – service members and their families contend with extreme isolation and a harsh climate – the rate has doubled.Ī 2021 study by the Cost of War Project concluded that since 9/11, four times as many service members and veterans have died by suicide as have perished in combat. In March Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced the creation of an independent committee to review the military’s mental health and suicide prevention programs.Īccording to Defense Department data, suicides among active-duty service members increased by more than 40% between 20. ![]()
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