Panel recommends new DoD office for suicide prevention

A review by a congressional task force has found that the Pentagon’s suicide prevention programs have not been as effective as they could be, The Associated Press reports.

The group sent a final report Tuesday to Defense Secretary Robert Gates that made 76 recommendations and emphasized ways to ensure the prevention programs have solid strategic visions and schemes for implementation.

“The task force commends the armed forces for the suicide prevention
initiatives it has undertaken and knows of no other employer that has
focused as much attention and resources on suicide prevention,” it read. “However, the task force found that the current vast expansion of
suicide prevention initiatives across the services was developed
rapidly and separately by each service for immediate execution.”

Suicides in the military — especially in the Army and the Marine Corps — have been increasing this year, likely due to difficulties in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The report also said that the Pentagon should create new office of suicide prevention to coordinate programs among the branches of the military.

The authoring panel consists of 14 military and civilian medical personnel, and civilians involved in issues of military suicide.