Army steps up battle against suicide

Effort personal for Fort Carson chief who lost own son

By Katie Kerwin McCrimmon, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published January 30, 2009 at 12:05 a.m.

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Leaders at Fort Carson have been fighting to reduce soldier suicides, and a new report shows why the battle is so critical: The number of suicides throughout the Army climbed to a record 128 last year.

The suicide figure, released Thursday, is the highest since record-keeping began in 1980. Officials calculate the deaths at a rate of roughly 20.2 per 100,000 soldiers - higher than the adjusted civilian rate for the first time since the Vietnam War, officials told a Pentagon news conference.

"We need to move quickly to do everything we can to reverse this disturbing . . . number," Army Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Peter Chiarelli said.

Maj. Gen. Mark Graham, commander at the Colorado Springs post, has made combating suicide and depression among the troops his personal mission.

Graham lost his own son, Kevin, 20, to suicide in 2003. The college ROTC cadet was suffering from depression and stoppped taking his medication. The next year, the Grahams lost their other son, Jeff, 23, to the Iraq war.

"We took it hard,'' Graham said. "My wife and I are dedicated to doing anything we can to prevent one more loss. We will spend the rest of our lives speaking out for all the Kevins out there."

At Fort Carson, Graham has pushed for significant training of soldiers, loved ones and commanders. He's insisting that soldiers in distress get counseling appointments immediately, not weeks down the road.

Last week, Graham conducted suicide prevention training for 1,400 soldiers, family members and caretakers such as chaplains, to learn about a program called ACE of Hearts that stands for "Act, Care and Escort."

"Don't be shy or afraid to ask the question, 'Have you considereed suicide?' Care enough to escort a soldier. Don't just say, 'You need help.' Escort them to get it.' " Graham said.

The general is working to eliminate the stigma that enshrouds mental illness. In the past, soldiers with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder didn't get the help they needed because they feared demotions or torpedoed careers.

Graham said it's critical for the military to stop blaming people who are suffering from depression, PTSD or other mental difficulties and instead get them help.

"We're working with leaders at all levels. They need to understand that it's a strength, not a weakness to come forward and get help," Graham said.

Officials have said that troops are under tremendous stress because of repeated and long tours of duty because of simultaneous wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Across the country, the Army will institute new training and prevention efforts starting next week. Col. Elspeth Ritchie, a psychiatric consultant to the Army surgeon general, made a plea for more mental health professionals to sign on to work for the military.

"We are hiring and we need your help," she said.

The Associated Press and The Gazette in Colorado Springs contributed to this report. mccrimmonk@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-954-2502

Military suicides at record levels

* 2008 128* * 2006 106

* 2007 115 * 2005 87

In Colorado

* On Jan. 17, Army Spc. Larry Applegate, 27, a decorated Iraq war veteran stationed at Fort Carson, shot himself to death after a standoff with El Paso County sheriff's deputies.

* In August 2005, three weeks after returning from Iraq, Pfc. Stephen S. Sherwood, 36, fatally shot his wife, Sara, 30, before turning the gun on himself.

* In March, 2004, Army Special Forces soldier Bill Howell, 36, threatened his wife with a gun before he shot himself.

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