U.S. Navy Attempted-Suicide Rate Near 3 Percent | Print | E-mail
Written by Steven J. DuBord
Wednesday, 30 December 2009 10:05
The Navy Times website reported on December 28 that a Defense Department survey of service members for 2008 showed a higher attempted-suicide rate in the U.S. Navy than any other branch of the armed forces.

Sailors attempted suicide at a rate of 2.8 percent, or approximately one out of every 35 sailors. This rate is three times higher than that recorded by the last survey in 2005.

In comparison, the next highest attempted-suicide rate was found in the Marine Corps at 2.3 percent. The Army rate followed at 2 percent, and the Air Force rate came in the lowest at 1.6 percent.

The 2008 Department of Defense Survey of Health Related Behaviors Among Active Duty Military Personnel included responses from 28,546 service members. They were randomly selected from all branches of service, including the Coast Guard, and represent a mix of men and women of different ages, races, and ranks.

The survey findings show an increase in illegal prescription drug use across the military branches and “dangerous levelsâ€