The Pentagon released its data on suicides among troops in the first quarter of 2014, showing that the Defense Department is holding steady in its battle against self-inflicted deaths.
From January to March, 120 active-duty, reserve and National Guard members died by suicide.
For the same period last year, 122 personnel died, and in the final quarter of 2013, the figure was 117.
DoD began releasing the data by quarter this year to address incongruities in previous reporting methods. Previously, the individual services chose how and when to release their suicide statistics and also determined who was counted as active duty, often skewing rate calculations and making it difficult to compare the problem across the branches or against the civilian community.
DoD officials said they decided to stop releasing the figures monthly to have a better understanding of the problem’s scope.
“When you report monthly, the numbers are very unstable. It takes several months for a death investigation to be completed, which leads to confusion and isn’t helpful,” Defense Suicide Prevention Office Director Jacqueline Garrick said Thursday.
According to the Pentagon, 74 active-duty personnel died by suicide in the first quarter: 19 airmen, 28 soldiers, 11 Marines and 16 sailors.
The largest jump occurred in the Air Force, which saw its numbers more than double from the same time frame in 2013 — a statistic that prompted Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark Welsh to release a message to airmen in May reminding them to think about their co-workers.
“I need all of you to take a look around and take care of each other,” Walsh said. “Do everything you can to find the airman who is struggling.”
Although DoD plans to release suicide data publicly by quarter from now on, the Pentagon continues to generate a weekly internal document of known and suspected suicides in the previous seven days as well as totals for the year.
A copy of the report obtained by Military Times through July 20 indicated that 151 active-duty personnel — 64 soldiers, 31 airmen, 20 Marines and 36 sailors — died or were suspected to have died by suicide from Jan. 2 through July 20.
The Defense and Veterans Affairs departments have launched a number of activities this week to mark the start of National Suicide Prevention Month.
A joint “Power of 1” awareness campaign highlights the message sent out by Walsh in May and Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel on Sept. 2 that it takes just one person asking a question, texting a friend in need or making a phone call to save a life.
“These brave individuals shouldn’t be avoided or stigmatized. They need to be embraced. Whether you’re a service member, a veteran, a DoD civilian, or a friend or family member of someone who is, you have the power to make a difference,” Hagel said in a DoD-wide message.
The military has many programs directed at mental health, wellness and suicide prevention. The peer support program Vets4Warriors (1-855-838-8255) serves as an around-the-clock call center and website providing counseling and case management to active-duty, National Guard and reserve members, retirees and their families.
The services also each have websites devoted to suicide prevention as well as counseling opportunities on bases and posts through senior leadership, the medical community, chaplain’s offices and community counseling centers.
U.S. Military Suicides First Quarter, 2014 & 2013 | ||||
January – March 2014 | January-March 2013 | |||
Active Component (Total) | 74 | 68 | ||
Air Force | 19 | 7 | ||
Army | 28 | 33 | ||
Marine Corps | 11 | 11 | ||
Navy | 16 | 17 | ||
Reserve Component (Total) | 24 | 26 | ||
Air Force | 2 | 1 | ||
Army | 13 | 21 | ||
Marine Corps | 4 | 4 | ||
Navy | 5 | 0 | ||
National Guard (Total) | 22 | 28 | ||
Air National Guard | 6 | 2 | ||
Army National Guard | 16 | 26 |
