U. S. Army Suicide Problem Needs God, not Nasal Spray & Drugs
The Army has confirmed 120 suicides for both active- and non-active-duty soldiers in 2012, with 67 other deaths suspected as suicides but still under investigation. Twenty-five of those were attributed to soldiers who did not have any previous deployments. The Army reported 242 suicides in 2009, 305 in 2010 and 283 in 2011.
As part of its coverage of this serious issue, this week CNN carried an article titled Can Nasal Spray Prevent Military Suicides? Apparently, the Army has endorsed a grant for Dr. Michael Kubek, an Indiana University of Medicine professor, to determine whether a nasal spray could be a safe and effective way to administer a specific antidepressive neurochemical to the brain of soldiers and help calm suicidal thoughts.
I know that the Army, as well as the Navy and Air Force, has directed a lot of resources into attempting to prevent suicides. They clearly have not implemented...
Ufdeq, oh by the way I'm old draftee, and I don't think many in the various National Guard units, were expecting that the military was going to turn into a lifetime career, or they would be spending so much time away from home.
I am proud of our American legions, and the many that are putting their lives on the line. Our military is a precious resource, and isn't to be squandered. Knowing about the draft, and I loath to say it should be brought back again, but it does have the advantage with military adventures, that the public sees no good reason for, they will soon get rid of politicians who think they are playing with a set of toy soldiers instead of human lives.
jpw wrote: I mean it probably has nothing to do with what we've put them through and the concept of perpetual war... no, no no, (or what they have seen or experienced!) that couldn't have anything to do with adventures being a "lifestyle" and family being an unnecessary recreation between real life.
As ex military I see by your post that you do not comprehend what the service life is like. First please note that the number of suicides is a drop in the ocean compared with those who have a very successful and satisfying life in the military. Comparing the suicide rate with the civilian population shows that you don't have to be involved with military experience to take the suicide route. Home life is completely different and that is one of the things worth fighting for and returning to. So there is no quote "what we've put them through" or "perpetual war" scenario. There is a job to do and we are qualified to do it, just as anybody is qualified to do other vocations in life. As I have stated below prevention is better than cure when dealing with depression and suicide, but that will require further study and greater organisation, which is happening.
Ufdeq wrote: When a person has reached down to that level there is actually very little - even human input -
I mean it probably has nothing to do with what we've put them through and the concept of perpetual war... no, no no, (or what they have seen or experienced!) that couldn't have anything to do with adventures being a "lifestyle" and family being an unnecessary recreation between real life.
and there's nothing to be done.
I sure hear that a lot from church goers. Its called apathy.
Don't worry -- they are getting taken care of, after coming home from their adventures to find their child not even knowing their name, I'm sure that nasal spray will help out with the inevitable, unexplainable feeling of blah, as they prepare to leave again.
The idea that a suicidal person is going to use logic or rational thinking to reach for a nasal spray or a pill when feeling so low as to take his own life is absurd or at best misguided.
When a person has reached down to that level there is actually very little - even human input - which can change the direction for the victim.
Prevention is a better solution than the cures put forward by science.
This means working with all military personel regularly to provide them with a reason to overcome such deep dark thinking.
Jesus said; Matt 6:25 Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment 33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. 34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.
When you remove God from life you remove hope. In the army you train to kill your job is to protect and defend the United States people and constitution. No matter what your job is, your secondary job is to be an infantryman. A person trained and prrepared to kill. For most people the idea of killing go against what they know to be morally right. It is depressing to do that which you know is wrong. Without forgiveness from God purchased by tthe death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ the soldier is left broken and hopeless.
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