The enemy within: Marines battle suicides

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The enemy within: Marines battle suicides
By Tony Perry
Los Angeles Times / July 21, 2008
SAN DIEGO - The basic rule for Marine boot camp is simple: Keep your mouth shut and mind your own business. But it is different when the subject is suicide.

Drill instructors encourage recruits to share their feelings in what is called "guided discussions," and tell them to watch out for, and promptly report, warning signs in their buddies.

The suicide rate in the active-duty Marine Corps was 16.5 per 100,000 in 2007 - below the active-duty Army and a similar demographic in the civilian population. But it was a jump from 12.9 in 2006.

In the first six months of this year, 25 Marines committed suicide, the most in that length of time since records have been kept. If that trend persists, 2008 could prove to be the most deadly year for Marine suicides since at least the beginning of the war in Afghanistan.

"Current prevention strategies are being evaluated and developed to respond to this increase and the ongoing wartime demands and associated stressors confronting Marines," said Navy Commander Aaron Werbel, manager of the Marine Corp's suicide prevention program.

"Training is being conducted for Marines, leaders, counselors, chaplains, family members, and front-line installation staff who have routine contact with young Marines."

In April, representatives of all the military branches came to San Diego for a weeklong conference to hear from civilian specialists and to discuss ways to improve prevention programs.

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