Fort Carson says its suicide rate is falling

Fort Carson says its suicide rate is falling

The Associated Press
Posted : Wednesday Sep 1, 2010 12:34:20 EDT

FORT CARSON, Colo. — Commanders at Fort Carson say the suicide rate among their soldiers is on track to drop by 45 percent.

Fort Carson's deputy commanding general for support, Brig. Gen. Jim Pasquarette, said Wednesday the decrease might be due in part to a campaign to make mental health experts more accessible and to reduce the stigma sometimes associated with seeking help.

He cautions that the rate could still climb. He says officials are still studying the reasons for the declining rate at the post.

Suicide rates are measured in deaths per 100,000 people.

Pasquarette says Fort Carson's rate was 44 per 100,000 in 2008, and this year is on track to be 25 per 100,000.

The Army's overall suicide rate is about 22 per 100,000.
Fort Carson says its suicide rate is falling