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Sunday's Child - Nikolas
Suicide a Danger for Texas Guard Troops 3/10/13
Associated Press
March 10, 2013
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) - Records show that since the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan began, about twice as many Texas Army National Guard soldiers have died of suicide as in combat, according to a newspaper investigation.
The Austin American-Statesman reports that the Texas Army National Guard now counts 30 suicides since 2001, with most occurring in the last five years.
Since 2008, Texas has ranked second among states in Army National Guard suicides, trailing only Minnesota, which has 25 suicides over the last five years, according to a National Guard report obtained by the newspaper.
Army officials and veterans advocates say the nature of National Guard duty back home makes it more difficult for soldiers to get the mental health care they need.