Suicide Risks Higher For Newer Service Members, Study Finds
The research, published in the journal JAMA Psychiatry, also found suicide attempts are more likely among women and those without a high school diploma. Meanwhile, former Rep. Patrick Kennedy talks to KHN about steps needed to fix the country's mental health system.
The Associated Press:
Suicide Attempts Most Common In Newer Soldiers, Study Found
War-time suicide attempts in the Army are most common in newer enlisted soldiers who have not been deployed, while officers are less likely to try to end their lives. At both levels, attempts are more common among women and those without a high school diploma, according to a study billed as the most comprehensive analysis of a problem that has plagued the U.S. military in recent years. (Tanner, 7/8)
Kaiser Health News:
Patrick Kennedy On Moving Mental Health Policy Out Of ‘The Dark Ages’
Former Rep. Patrick Kennedy, D-R.I., was a senior in high school the first time he checked into rehab. His struggle with drug addiction and bipolar disorder continued to haunt him through his 16 years in Congress. But his first-hand experience with these illnesses also drives his long-standing interest in shaping public policies to confront the challenges faced by people with mental health problems. ... Kennedy [talked] about problems he sees in the nation’s mental health system and the steps needed to fix them. (Pockros, 7/9)