36 suicides in the California Army Guard since 2001

Without realizing it, they answered the biggest reason for military suicides right here.

Soldiers have a culture that values strength and not admitting weakness. That culture has prevented many from seeking help, he said, and changing that culture is part of what his classes teach.

Sounds like an easy to understand reason however, the program the military has been using as "prevention" has been instilling the notion that they are weak if they need help and didn't train right.

They hear that Comprenhensive Soldier Fitness was designed to make them "mentally tough" so in turn they believe they are weak if they end up with PTSD.

The result of rise in military suicides was predicted in 2009. Saying they are "doing something" will change nothing unless they know what they are doing in the first place. More of the same will only make it worse.

California Guard proactive in fight against suicide
DVIDS
California National Guard
Story by Capt. Jason Sweeney
4/29/2014

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - In the California Army National Guard, there have been 36 confirmed suicides since 2001, including 28 since 2007. The worst year was 2010 with seven confirmed suicides, followed by three, five and six.

In an effort to prepare leaders to step in and help at-risk troops, and to develop a mentality of resilience among Guard members, experts in the California Army Guard conduct suicide prevention training about once a week up and down the state.

“The Army used to be more reactive but now is becoming more proactive,” said California Army Guard suicide prevention program manager 1st Lt. Herbert Campos.

Campos said Soldiers have a culture that values strength and not admitting weakness. That culture has prevented many from seeking help, he said, and changing that culture is part of what his classes teach.

“Stigma-reduction is huge,” Campos said. “If you can take care of yourself, you can better take care of others.

You’re strong if you ask for help.”

Fifteen of the 36 suicides in the California Army Guard since 2001 were committed by Soldiers who had deployed at some point in their career, including three that occurred during a deployment and two that occurred while the soldier was on transitional leave following a deployment. The other 10 all occurred at least one year after deployment.
read more here