Suicide Prevention
Robert Pellen
English 101C-1T
Professor Landis
14 December 2010
Suicide Prevention for the Military
Today is very sad and troubling days in the military. The hero’s are coming home from war safe and sound only to die by their own hands, suicide.
I am deeply saddened to know that my band of brothers and sisters are dying. The fact that they are not dying on the battle field is not what has my sorrows at the forefront of my thoughts, but that they themselves are taking their lives by their own hands. There has to be away for the rest of us to help, and that help has to start now.
The military is starting to set up programs for the mental health crisis that is sweeping today’s soldiers. We as American’s need to step to the forefront and push our countries leaders to address these issues and do what is right for the heros of today’s and yesterday’s defense of our country. Americans cannot sit by and think that just an initiative will fix or solve a problem; they need to take the hands on approach.
There is a saying heard by most when entering a store; “If you break it you own it”. The author feels and believes that now that we have broken our American heros we own the right to fix them at all cost, monetary and emotionally. The soldiers of this country are an American commodity and we need them all in one piece, like pristine pieces of china. Without whole soldiers we as Americans will be left defenseless.
The facts about the suicides that are happening after troops return from combat tours are really leaving Americans in mourning for too long a time. That mourning needs to stop now. The reports that are the most up to date state, last year alone there were 239 suicides with 1,700 attempts (“The Wars’ Continuing Toll”). Why have Americans not brought this to light earlier than now? Americans need to find and start the process to combat this invisible enemy and bring it out into the open. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention reported that 20 percent of
English 101C-1T
Professor Landis
14 December 2010
Suicide Prevention for the Military
Today is very sad and troubling days in the military. The hero’s are coming home from war safe and sound only to die by their own hands, suicide.
I am deeply saddened to know that my band of brothers and sisters are dying. The fact that they are not dying on the battle field is not what has my sorrows at the forefront of my thoughts, but that they themselves are taking their lives by their own hands. There has to be away for the rest of us to help, and that help has to start now.
The military is starting to set up programs for the mental health crisis that is sweeping today’s soldiers. We as American’s need to step to the forefront and push our countries leaders to address these issues and do what is right for the heros of today’s and yesterday’s defense of our country. Americans cannot sit by and think that just an initiative will fix or solve a problem; they need to take the hands on approach.
There is a saying heard by most when entering a store; “If you break it you own it”. The author feels and believes that now that we have broken our American heros we own the right to fix them at all cost, monetary and emotionally. The soldiers of this country are an American commodity and we need them all in one piece, like pristine pieces of china. Without whole soldiers we as Americans will be left defenseless.
The facts about the suicides that are happening after troops return from combat tours are really leaving Americans in mourning for too long a time. That mourning needs to stop now. The reports that are the most up to date state, last year alone there were 239 suicides with 1,700 attempts (“The Wars’ Continuing Toll”). Why have Americans not brought this to light earlier than now? Americans need to find and start the process to combat this invisible enemy and bring it out into the open. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention reported that 20 percent of
Citations: Wise, Lindsay. “Suicidal vets find lifeline on social Web sites” Huston Chronicle (TX) 27 November 2010: Newspaper Source “The Wars’ Continuing Toll.” New York Times 21 September 2010: A30(L). Gale Opposing Viewpoints In Context “When Warriors Hurt Themselves.” New York Times 2 September 2010: A30(L). Gale Opposing Viewpoints In Context. “Fort Drum Highlights Suicide Prevention.” Weekend Edition Sunday 21 September 2008. Gale Opposing Viewpoints In Context. “CRS Report for Congress” Suicide Prevention Among Veterans, Sundararman, Ramya, Viranga Panangala, Sidath, and Lister, Sarah A., May 5, 2008 www.armyg1.mil/suicideprevention