U.S. military suicide by the numbers

Former Army MP Kevin Lapointe was best friends with Chris Journeau, an Army infantryman who died by suicide in 2010. The MP came back from Iraq with post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury. /Don Himsel photo, nashuatelegraph.com

GENERAL SUICIDE STATISTICS

90 percent of people who attempt suicide do not die by suicide.

80 percent of people who die by suicide give some warning signs in advance.

U.S. MILITARY SUICIDE STATISTICS

349 active-duty military service members died by suicide in 2012.

50 percent of active-duty armed service members who die by suicide never serve in a combat zone.

U.S. civilian vs. armed services suicide rates:

• General population: 11 suicides per 100,000
• Armed services: 19 suicides per 100,000

Note: Several factors contribute to the elevated suicide rate in the U.S. armed services, including age, gender, PTSD, TBI, substance abuse and suicide risks associated with "military life" such as moving on a yearly basis.

SOURCES: NAMI-NH, TAPS, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE



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