For Pentagon, Soldier Suicides a Frustrating Problem
June 27, 2012
It was not the bombs in Iraq but coming home that resulted in the death of Josh Lipstein.
The 23-year-old committed suicide last year, after returning from his second deployment in Iraq.
His father, Don Lipstein, says Josh struggled with drug abuse - and did not want to open up to military therapists for fear of ruining his reputation.
“I think as a society we train our mil [military] people to be tough, but there’s got to be a way for them to release that toughness after they come back from tour duty," said Don Lipstein.
Experts say the risk of suicide is even higher as soldiers transition to civilian life and deal with issues like post-traumatic stress, traumatic brain injuries, substance abuse, and financial difficulties - often alone, without the structure of military life.
Many don’t seek help for fear their careers may suffer.
But many others - like Marine Lance Corporal Michael Harris - do.
His brother Ben says Michael took his own life last February after his deployment in Afghanistan.
“Michael was at least actively reaching out and looking for help from the counseling department, but, when he let them know that he was drinking too much - and this was his own admission looking for help - that was when he was told that he now qualified as having a substance abuse issue and they could no longer help him," said Ben Harris.
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