Suicide in the Military - Research Paper Example

Historical army suicide rates Studies show that the rate of suicide in the military is similar to the proportion of suicide in the general population of the US. “Three percent of the total deaths in the country are caused by suicide” (Lineberry & O’Connor 1). According to the study, more males commit suicide compared to females in the army. “Above 90 percent suicide cases are caused by men” (Lineberry & O’Connor 1). Before the year 2003, the rate of army suicide was lower, in comparison to 2012 and 2013.

This is because of the effects of the Iraq war. In the year 2008, the study results showed that the rate of suicide was 20 in every 100000 army members in the US. In the year 2010, the rate increased to 31 for every 100000members. Causes of the army suicide Researchers have identified various causes of the high rate of suicide in the army. Some of the causes entail the intense military activities, combats, and deployment. The mentioned conditions usually lead to depression or psychological issues.

Combat and deployment effects Based on the reports during the military screening, most members of the military undergo psychological torture. Several members become depressed and anxious during the process. As a result, they end up abusing substances in order to relieve the tension. Studies confirm that various psychological disorders such as “depression and abuse of substance are correlated with the intensity and the amount of combat time” (Lineberry & O’Connor 1). Depression and drug abuse are major factors that cause suicide not only in the military, but also in the general population of the country.

Researchers have associated deployment with aggressive behaviors and drug misuse. “Aggression and impulsivity are among the risk factors of suicide” (Lineberry & O’Connor 1). Due to the recent high occurrence of war, there have been multiple deployments in the US army. This has resulted into psychiatric illnesses among the army members, which has in turn increased the suicide rate. Studies confirm that military members with one deployment experience less psychological effects compared to those with more than one deployment.

Correlation between suicide and medical care use Studies confirm that the number of army members seeking clinical help due to psychiatric illnesses is positively correlated with the proportion of suicide. For instance, between the year 2003 and 2008, the army members with “psychiatry illnesses increased from 116 to 216 for every 100000 individuals in the US army” (Lineberry & O’Connor 1). The same study also confirmed that the rate of suicide also increased during that time. The clinical report also showed that most of the “army members do not use medical services for fear of stigmatization” (Lineberry & O’Connor 1).

Several people who test positive for mental disorder in clinics usually experience stigma that is also a major cause of suicide. Sleep disturbance Researchers have also identified sleep disturbance as a cause for suicide. Sleep disorders “cause other mental disorder such as depression and anxiety” which are suicide risk factors (Lineberry & O’Connor 1). Medical experts discovered that “those diagnosed with insomnia usually attempted suicide after some time” (Lineberry & O’Connor 1).

Suicide prevention approaches Various strategies can help in the prevention of suicide among army members. One of