Israeli army facing mounting suicide
SOUTH LEBANON
09 Luglio 2010
I soldati di Tsahal si suicidano sempre più spesso
The Israeli army has voiced alarm over a fresh jump in the number of suicide cases among it service members since the beginning of the year.
Nineteen Israeli soldiers have put end to own lives this year, following a relative decline brought about in recent years by various programs aimed at stemming suicide in the army, Israel's Ynet news website reported on Tuesday.
The 2010 figure shows a sharp rise in the toll compared with 21 in the whole of 2009. The Israeli army reported 30 suicides in 2000 while there were 35 similar cases in 2005.
The military subsequently launched a training program to help commanders diagnose serious psychological distress among soldiers and offer necessary assistance in time. The program, meanwhile, envisaged reducing the number of administration soldiers who take a personal weapon home.
In the years 2007-2009, there was a fall in the number of suicides to less than 24 in one year -- making this year's figure all the more disturbing for Tel Aviv.
Two officers were convicted of a criminal offense in 2008 for failing to prevent the suicide of a soldier who showed signs of psychological distress.
A mental health officer was tried in a disciplinary trial in connection with the same case for failing to assist the soldier.
Source > SOUTH LEBANON
