Army issues report on suicides, at-risk behaviors

Last year, 239 U.S. soldiers -- 160 of whom were on active duty -- killed themselves and an additional 1,713 attempted suicide, according to the results of a 15-month study (.pdf file) released last week by the U.S. Army. In addition, 146 soldiers died after engaging in high-risk activities, including 74 who overdosed on drugs.

The report linked risky behavior to stressors such as relationship problems, work stress and brushes with the law, as well as a lack of accountability within the Army.

The report contains more than 200 recommendations, including:

• Improve efforts to identify at-risk soldiers
• Reduce the stigma around behavioral health care
• Enhance policies to improve alcohol and drug reporting
• Implement programs to ensure accountability and discipline in the barracks

Suicides among soldiers have been on the rise since 2004.