Military suicides

America's commitments in Iraq and Afghanistan have asked much of its military personnel, many of whom have experienced repeated deployments and little time back home with family and community.

The dedication and sacrifice demonstrated by American servicemen and women in these times have been extraordinary. Yet the demands on individuals are profound.

A Defense Department task force reported that the numbers of suicides in the military have risen — 390 last year, 267 in 2008 and 224 in 2007.

Although the military has 900 suicide prevention programs across 400 installations worldwide, it needs more behavioral specialists and suicide prevention officers, said the Task Force on the Prevention of Suicide by Members of the Armed Forces.

Such programs need to be "streamlined across services," McClatchy Newspapers reported. For some seeking psychiatric counseling, there is still a stigma of discrimination and humiliation that needs to be removed.

The report advocates improving communication between unit-level leaders and the men and women they lead. The need to work more closely with military family members is also recommended.

One of the main points of the report is that mental health and well-being must be part of the overall fitness program. That includes social, physical, spiritual and psychological wellness.

The report assures that prevention efforts do work. It will be essential to ensure that the appropriate mental health services are readily available for military personnel who need the care.