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More veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars have died by their own hand than died from enemy fire

Many media outlets (including this one) focus on the treatment of physical health ailments and do not devote enough time towards the treatment of mental health problems. Mental health problems can affect anyone, even the tough warriors in the U.S. military. In fact, suicide is a significant problem for war veterans. The New Jersey Star-Ledger reports:

As we recall those who gave their lives for our freedoms on this Memorial Day, here’s something to consider: More veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars have died by their own hand than died from enemy fire.

The shocking statistic comes straight from the Department of Veterans Affairs: 18 military veterans commit suicide every day. The youngest, between the ages of 17 and 24, are four times more likely to kill themselves than older veterans. To make the numbers even more agonizing, the men and women who fight for our freedoms have never been more isolated from their countrymen: less than 1 percent of the population has served in the armed forces in Iraq and Afghanistan.”

Military servicemen give their lives to protect this country; this country must also ensure that military servicemen are protected when they return home.

1 Comment

  1. That “more veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars have died by their own hand than died from enemy fire” is very disturbing and depressing. The government should invest on a program for veterans to help them cope with the emotional, psychological and physical trauma they experienced because of fighting in a war. Everyday should be memorial day. We should serve those who served us.

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