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All Posts Information News January 28 2011
 — By The Frontlines

Unbeknownst to most, last October was National Depression Month. In observance of the month the military tried to increase awareness about the issue within the ranks. However, did most of you know it was even National Depression Month? For many of us in the military we do not openly admit when we are feeling “blue” or sad. There is a certain stigma within the military associated with a service member who says he is depressed. I’m not sure if it is a “toughness” thing or not, but the inability for most service members to feel comfortable sharing their moods with their peers and chain of command has consequences. For the past few years the military’s suicide rate has been 12.5 per 100,000 people. This is higher compared to the national average of 11.1 per 100,000 people (Denver Post, 2010, para. 5). According to reporter Colleen O’Connor (2010) “From 2005 to 2009, it said, more than 1,100 service members committed suicide, which is about one suicide every 36 hours” (para. 7). Given this troubling trend the Army for it’s part has created useful web based training programs and the (ASIST) course. The aim of these programs is for recognition of the signs of suicide and early intervention. Whether or not theses programs are effective remains to be seen.

To read more about the alarming rate of suicides in the military,  and read or hear real stories from Veterans, please visit The Frontlines at http://www.thefrontlines.com. Thank you.

Very respectfully,

“Warrant”

askthewarrant@thefrontlines.com

References

Defense Center of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury Outreach Center atwww.doe.health.mil/media/DCoE_News/DCOE_outreach_center.aspx.

O’Connor, C. (2010). Researchers to seek out explanations for higher suicide rate in military. The Denver Post. Retrieved from www.denverpost.com/news/ci_16453182

Military Mental Health Research. (2010). Retrieved from www.militarymentalhealth.org

(5) Readers Comments

  1. Col. Antonio Monaco has discovered something that is bringing in fantastic reviews and I believe it is saving lives. The civilian version of it sure saved mine!

    Only problem is that there is no money for advertising so we folks that are familiar with it have to help get the word out.

    http://Www.patriotoutreach.org is Col. Monaco’s website for his most unique 501c and if anyone that is suffering emotional issues, both great and small will go there and read the colonel’s front page message about his free gift, they just might see their life literally turn the corner toward true healing.

  2. Part of the problem is that there are not enough mental health professionals available for troops. See this article to see what Gen. Peter W. Chiarelli has to say.

  3. We need to get the word out about national depression month. While depression has been around since day one, it is being recorded. Everyone I know goes through times of depression. It is very important that we support our friend as they struggle in difficult times. Even more important is being there for veterans that fall into times of depression. It can go along with PTSD. Fighting in war is emotionally dragging. That is why friends and family must be there to help. Hopefully, organizations can give even more help to depressed veterans.

  4. Think twice before -You- get involved with the mental health industry because of their never ending experimentation with antipsychotic drugs that have horrendous side effects? They use inhuman medical experimentation with -Electroshock Therapy-
    and -Deep Brain Stimulation- and forms of
    -Lobotomy- etc.? They use never ending therapy to brain wash the mentally ill and their caregivers into accepting the pain and suffering and false hope of real recovery? They are experimenting on children as young as three months old in order to keep their never ending -Ponzi Scheme- going? Over fifty percent of mentally ill human beings are misdiagnosed by supposed mental health professionals? Since I worked for years at a top mental health rehabilitation facility (FH) in northern new jersey USA and observed
    thousands of mental health clients in the surrounding areas with detailed documentation? I am an expert in telling you
    that -You- should think twice before -You- get involved with the mental health industry???

  5. Pingback: A Supreme Folly – Part II: America After Iraq » Michael Sol Pollens

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