At least 13 out of 18 Utah soldier death were suicides in 2013

National study shows military suicide rates climbing; Utah no exception
Deseret News
By Madeleine Brown
Published: Sunday, March 30 2014

SALT LAKE CITY — A large study of nearly 1 million soldiers shows the Army suicide rate surpassed the civilian suicide rate in 2008 and continues to rise.

And Utah is no stranger to military suicide.

Of the 18 Utah soldiers who died in 2013 and were recognized by the state Legislature earlier this year, at least 13 are confirmed suicides, according to Rep. Ryan Wilcox, R-Ogden.

"Would I say that (suicide) attempts have gone up? Absolutely," said Dr. Scott Hill, chief of mental health for the VA Salt Lake City Health Care System.

Better tracking could contribute to the rising numbers, Hill said, but the rates are climbing regardless. Ten veterans have committed suicide since Oct. 1, 2013, in Utah, southeastern Idaho and eastern Nevada, he said. The hotline for veterans in crisis received 283 calls from the same area during the same time frame.

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs estimates 22 veterans commit suicide each day. That number is one per day for active-duty soldiers, according to the nonprofit Stop Soldier Suicide.
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