Military Suicides Spike in 2012

Suicides among US Military members have spiked this year, with an average of one suicide a day — the highest rate so far during a decade of war in Iraq and Afghanistan. According to new Pentagon figures, 154 Military Servicemembers committed suicide during the first 155 days of this year. During the same period, ending June 3, 136 US troops died in combat in Afghanistan, according to icasualties.org, a website that tracks combat casualties. Kim Ruocco, National Director of Suicide Education and Outreach for the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors and a surviving Military widow, discusses suicide in the Military. Her husband, Marine Major John Ruocco, died by suicide in 2005 while preparing for his second Iraq combat deployment. TAPS welcomes anyone grieving the death of someone who served in the Military, regardless of where or how they died. Find more information here.