WASHINGTON – Sixteen active-duty soldiers and six reservists apparently took their own lives in September, the second month of decline in suicide numbers since a record high in July, according to Army figures released Friday.
Four of the September cases have been confirmed as suicide while 18 remain under investigation, the Pentagon said. Twenty-nine Army suicides were reported in August, down from 33 in July, the highest toll since the Army began releasing the figures in 2009.
“We need each and every member of our team,” Army Chief of Staff Gen. Ray Odierno said with the release of the data. “One suicide is one too many. Prevention and intervention efforts must be at the top of our priorities.”
Soldiers and families in need of crisis assistance can contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or by visiting the organization's website atwww.suicidepreventionlifeline.org.
The Army's comprehensive list of Suicide Prevention Program information is located atwww.preventsuicide.army.mil.
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