KCEN-TV, KCEN-HD, Waco, Temple, Killeen, Bryan, TexasFort Hood reacts to rising suicides
The U.S. Army is dealing with the highest number of suicides it's ever seen. A record 32 soldier suicides were reported last month. In this year alone, eight Fort Hood soldiers have committed suicide. And another four deaths are being investigated. That worries people like Laura Morton.
Her boyfriend suffers from post traumatic stress disorder, a common diagnosis in soldiers who commit suicide.
"If there is a sudden noise he gets really jumpy and so I try and calm him down," Laura says.
T.A.P.S. or the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors helps families cope with the loss of a soldier through war or suicide. They say the constant deployments pile on too much stress.
"That puts a tremendous amount of strain on families and relationships," says Ami Miller with T.A.P.S.
Today, Fort Hood told KCEN HD news that "some soldiers face challenges that they may think are insurmountable. One ill-conceived act can and does tragically end lives. Fort Hood leadership is committed to preventing all needless deaths. We are applying a holistic approach to improving the physical, behavioral and spiritual health of our soldiers."
Meanwhile, Laura hopes soldiers can get counseling or help at places like Fort Hood's spiritual fitness center before it's too late. It's already helped her boyfriend battle alcoholism.
"As soon as he got off work he would start drinking until he passed out so he wouldn't have to think about it but that's already helped since he has gone to therapy," she says.
Reporter/Photographer: Renee Cervantes
