Suicides Within the U.S. Army to Reach All-Time High in 2009

Statistics were revealed earlier today indicating that the number of suicides within the U.S. Army in 2009 are expected to reach an all-time high.

The number of suicides that have been reported in 2009 have already matched the number from 2008, which was 140 deaths, according to Reuters. 2008's suicide total within the U.S. Army had been an all-time high at the time until the release of the 2009 statistics.

Peter Chiarelli, Vice Chief of Staff for the U.S. Army, discussed the disturbing revelation during a Pentagon briefing that was held on Tuesday, saying, "We are almost certainly going to end the year higher than last year. This is horrible, and I do not want to downplay the significance of these numbers in any way."

Reuters is reporting that the U.S. Army suicide total will continue to raise concerns about the amount of stress that is being placed on U.S. armed forces with a pending decision from President Barack Obama that is expected to include a provision that will send thousands of additional troops to Afghanistan.

Another tragic statistic that was unveiled on Tuesday showed that 71 U.S. soldiers took their own lives this year after they had been taken off of active duty. No motive has been revealed in relation to the suicides of any of the 71 veterans but it is being reported that approximately one-third of them had been deployed overseas.