WASHINGTON (Army News Service, Feb. 22, 2011) -- In January, the Army experienced a total of 14 potential suicides and one confirmed suicide among Soldiers on active-duty status.
The January number is up from the last month of 2010 -- in December, the Army reported 11 potential suicides and 1 confirmed suicide among Soldiers on active duty.
The January numbers are also higher than last year at the same time -- then, in January 2010, the Army experienced 12 confirmed suicides among Soldiers on active duty.
"Army-wide efforts implemented during 2010 to improve the health of the force and enhance our overall resiliency will continue to be a focus for all members of the Army family in 2011," said Col. Chris Philbrick, deputy director, Army Health Promotion, Risk Reduction Task Force. "We must continue to examine our risk reduction and health promotion programs to ensure that in every instance they are readily available and accessible to those in need."
Numbers for reserve-component Soldiers not on active duty were also released. Among that population, a total of seven potential suicides were recorded in January. Of those, two have been confirmed and 5 are pending confirmation.
In 2010, the Army experienced a total of 240 confirmed suicides, and 63 potential suicides -- a total of 303 -- among Soldiers on active duty and Soldiers in the Reserve Components. Of those 303 suicides, 286 were male Soldiers and 17 were female Soldiers.
The January number is up from the last month of 2010 -- in December, the Army reported 11 potential suicides and 1 confirmed suicide among Soldiers on active duty.
The January numbers are also higher than last year at the same time -- then, in January 2010, the Army experienced 12 confirmed suicides among Soldiers on active duty.
"Army-wide efforts implemented during 2010 to improve the health of the force and enhance our overall resiliency will continue to be a focus for all members of the Army family in 2011," said Col. Chris Philbrick, deputy director, Army Health Promotion, Risk Reduction Task Force. "We must continue to examine our risk reduction and health promotion programs to ensure that in every instance they are readily available and accessible to those in need."
Numbers for reserve-component Soldiers not on active duty were also released. Among that population, a total of seven potential suicides were recorded in January. Of those, two have been confirmed and 5 are pending confirmation.
In 2010, the Army experienced a total of 240 confirmed suicides, and 63 potential suicides -- a total of 303 -- among Soldiers on active duty and Soldiers in the Reserve Components. Of those 303 suicides, 286 were male Soldiers and 17 were female Soldiers.
