He Said, She Said

Most than half of all veterans who took their own lives were members of the National Guard or Reserves according to a Associated Press report.

  A Department of Veterans Affairs analysis of ongoing research of deaths among veterans of both wars — obtained by The Associated Press — found that Guard or Reserve members accounted for 53 percent of the veteran suicides from 2001, when the war in Afghanistan began, through the end of 2005.

As Guard and Reserve participation increases in Iraq and Afghanistan these numbers will continue to rise. 

At certain times in 2005, members of the Guard and Reserve made up nearly half the troops fighting in Iraq. Overall, they were nearly 28 percent of all U.S. military forces deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan or in support of the operations, according to Defense Department data through the end of 2007.

Obviously, this is a serious trend that continues to escalate.  As the Pentagon continues to rely on Guard and Reserve troops to fill forward positions, mental health issues will significantly increase.  It is imperative that we begin to aggressively address these difficult mental health issues. 

Veterans need to know it’s ok to seek help.  Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is a serious mental health issue that can be effectively treated.