US Army suicides hit highest level since 1993

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
The number of US Army soldiers who took their own lives increased last year to the highest total since 1993, despite a growing effort by the Army to detect and prevent suicides. In 2005, 83 soldiers committed suicide, compared with 67 in 2004, and 60 in 2003, the year the US-led invasion of Iraq. Four other deaths in 2005 are being investigated as possible suicides but have not yet been confirmed. The totals include active duty Army soldiers and deployed National Guard and Reserve troops. The total was the highest since 90 soldiers killed themselves in 1993. "Although we are not alarmed by the slight increase, we do take suicide prevention very seriously," Army spokesman Col. Joseph Curtin said Friday.