As noted in the article, the Pentagon is still crunching the numbers, but I would not be surprised if we do not see them until after the election.

A few more details about the numbers: suicides after deployment are not counted. Suicide data are based on what is called the ASER report, which I went into in detail last year. MHAT-IV estimated ASER’s accuracy was questionable. I also have been trying to track down reliable data on multiple deployments. What percentage of the troops currently in Iraq are on the their third or even fourth deployment? How many National Guard troops are opting out? How is National Guard recruiting going?

Along these lines, one stat I did not have space to comment on is MHAT-V’s finding that those committing suicide tend to be older. As Mercey notes, data can be interesting. Are these data a function of the fact that National Guard troops in general tend to be older? and, do they reflect that the percentage on multiple deployments is higher?

In the end, it’s all relative bias masquerading as facts or science and just as with numbers, one can skew or make the data support one’s contention.

Which is called what kids?

B.S.

When we stop and think about the breakup of relationships, we find that most couples divorce and go on with their lives. They are depressed for a time, but most do not consider suicide.

However, if one member of the couple is already suffering from mental illness, he or she just might commit suicide. And this madness in Iraq is definitely causing our soldiers mental stress. My nephew (National Guard) has already done two tours of duty in Iraq, where he witnessed close members of his regiment slaughtered. His wife ran off with another man during his second tour of duty. He is home now, but I wouldn’t say that he is ok. He is suffering from PTSD. His mom tells me that he will get in his car to go somewhere, and has to come back in and ask her where he was going!

My husband committed suicide in 1998, which was before the U. S. invasion of Iraq. Although he served in the military for 7 years, it was not during wartime. His mental illness stemmed from being raised by a mentally ill mother, who was extremely violent. I found out the details of his childhood from his sister, who was in treatment for her own mental illness. My husband was very quiet, and never spoke of his childhood.

Yes, we were having slight marital problems at the time he died, but if he had been mentally stable, we could have worked out our problems. People with mental impairments have a very hard time dealing with life’s problems, because they feel powerless to change things.

Thank you so much for this article! Relationship breakups do not cause suicide! Mental illness, and the inability to resolve life’s problems, causes suicide!