Full access
Letters to the Editor
Published Online: 5 February 2010

Answer Obvious?

Publication: Psychiatric News
Volume 45, Number 3
https://doi.org/10.1176/pn.45.3.psychnews_45_3_032
I am writing in response to the article “Army Trying to Solve Puzzle of Rising Suicide Rates” in the December 4, 2009, issue.
I was the sole psychiatrist stationed at Fort Stewart, Ga., during the Korean War, from October 1951 to July 1953. We had about 40,000 troops on post. In addition, National Guard troops trained there in the summer months. I can't recall one suicide on post during that time. The camp was relatively free of stress. We did have some problems, and they included high rates of AWOL and sexually transmitted disease. I was also on the Stockade Clemency Review Board.
I believe it is unnecessary to research the cause of the high rate of suicide cited in the article, as the cause is a “no brainer”—it is obvious that it is the repeated tours of duty in combat zones. With soldiers returning home with concussion syndromes, posttraumatic stress disorder, and multiple other physical and emotional problems, we should not be surprised that the suicide rate has increased. Stop rotating these troops again and again and the rate will drop.
If we are going to continue these wars, it is immoral to demand that this small group of soldiers defend our country at their psychological peril. If we must defend our country, all should share in the burden, and a draft should be established. This will not happen, however, as it is politically incorrect. Our politicians want to get reelected so let us conduct another study to make us feel better and assuage our guilt as we return our soldiers to the battlefield.
WAYNE WEISNER, M.D. Port Washington, N.Y.

Information & Authors

Information

Published In

Go to Psychiatric News
Psychiatric News
Volume 45 • Number 3 • February 5, 2010
Pages: 26

History

Published online: 5 February 2010
Published in print: February 5, 2010

Authors

Metrics & Citations

Metrics

Citations

Export Citations

If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.

For more information or tips please see 'Downloading to a citation manager' in the Help menu.

Format
Citation style
Style
Copy to clipboard
Tips for downloading citations

There are no citations for this item

View Options

View options

Get Access

Login options

Already a subscriber? Access your subscription through your login credentials or your institution for full access to this article.

Personal login Institutional Login Open Athens login

Not a subscriber?

Subscribe Now / Learn More

PsychiatryOnline subscription options offer access to the DSM-5-TR® library, books, journals, CME, and patient resources. This all-in-one virtual library provides psychiatrists and mental health professionals with key resources for diagnosis, treatment, research, and professional development.

Need more help? PsychiatryOnline Customer Service may be reached by emailing [email protected] or by calling 800-368-5777 (in the U.S.) or 703-907-7322 (outside the U.S.).

Media

Figures

Other

Tables

Share

Share

Share article link

Share

×

As described within the American Psychiatric Association (APA)'s Privacy Policy and Terms of Use, this website utilizes cookies, including for the purpose of offering an optimal online experience and services tailored to your preferences. Please read the entire Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. By closing this message, browsing this website, continuing the navigation, or otherwise continuing to use the APA's websites, you confirm that you understand and accept the terms of the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use, including the utilization of cookies.