Fewer soldiers deployed to Afghanistan contemplated suicide

Study: Less war improves mental health of soldiers
USA TODAY
MILITARY INTELLIGENCE
Gregg Zoroya
February 3, 2014

The imminent end of the U.S. war in Afghanistan has triggered some of the highest morale and lowest levels of mental illness among deployed U.S. soldiers in years, according to an Army mental health study released Monday.

The findings by Army scientists working in the combat zone last year dovetails with the 19% drop in active-duty Army suicides in 2013 announced by the service Friday.

The study, which interviewed war-zone troops anonymously, also notes fewer soldiers deployed to Afghanistan contemplated suicide. Some 8.5% did, down from 13% in 2010.

"We're seeing some of the lowest rates of behavioral health issues. We're seeing leadership rates higher than they were in the past. Morale is on the rise. All of the key indicators that we would be looking at are looking much better," says Army Lt. Col. Maurice Sipos, a research psychologist and author of the report.

Despite the improvements, the stigma against seeking mental health help remains, the study shows. 

Nearly half of the surveyed soldiers who need therapy said the perception of weakness discouraged them from seeking help. That rate has remained unchanged for years despite military efforts to reduce it, the report said.

The report also showed that the more times a soldier is deployed, the greater the likelihood he or she will suffer from mental illness.

There are 34,000 U.S. troops in Afghanistan compared with the peak of 100,000 in 2011. Afghan troops are taking the lead in combat operations as the United States prepares to end operations there this year.
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