(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) released the following statement on reports that the Pentagon will announce 108 suicides among Army soldiers in 2007 – the highest total for one year in decades.
"While DoD continues to work to address this crisis, today’s numbers are a tragic reminder that repeated deployments, without the rest, recovery, and treatment our service members need, are taking a heavy toll. We simply can’t keep asking the same people to sacrifice for us over and over again and expect there not to be real consequences. That suicide rates are higher for the Army than other branches also raises serious questions about the impact extended deployments are having on our troops."
"Our men and women in uniform are sacrificing for our nation every day, and even one suicide is too many. With these numbers on the rise, we owe it to our service members and their families to be outraged and to aggressively address this crisis.
"Addressing this crisis will take enhanced commitment and coordination by both the Pentagon and the VA to provide resources and assistance to service members and their families while they are in the military and after they have separated. The Pentagon needs to continue to expand its efforts to bring on psychiatrists and psychologists who understand the rigors of war, provide continuous outreach to service members and their families, and demonstrate that changing the culture surrounding psychological health is more than just a talking point."
