Families of soldiers who commit suicide in combat to receive letter of condolence

The White House is getting rid of a long-standing policy in a step toward dealing with the unseen wounds of war.

From 2004 to 2009, the number of military men and women that committed suicide while fighting overseas rose steadily. In 2010, US Army Data reported 125 suicides.

This week President Obama announced families of these servicemen and women will now receive a letter of condolence. It'll be similar to the letter the White House sends to families of soldiers killed in combat. Experts say the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan dropped the veil on the issue of suicide and mental health in the military.

“They don't get the same respect and I think this is going to change that,” said Keri Neblett with Johnson County Crisis Center. Neblett works with people and families dealing with the issue of suicide or thoughts of suicide. She also signed a petition asking the President to start sending the letter of condolence to families that lose a soldier to suicide in combat.

“People are scared and I think they feel if we don't talk about suicide it won't happen, which is a myth,” Neblett said.

In a statement released Tuesday, President Obama said, “Our men and women in uniform have borne the incredible burden of wars and we need to do everything in our power to honor their service.”

University of Iowa Political Science Professor Brian Lia teaches about the consequences of war, physical, mental and emotional.

“Suicide became a big concern amongst the military,” Lia said, “This is one attempt to de-stigmatize suicides and de-stigmatize conditions that lead to suicides.”

Lia says the large number of suicides from soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as an increase in cases of post-traumatic stress, pushed the President to make a change for the soldiers and the families.

“It signifies that their loss wasn't something seen as a sign of weakness,” said Lia.

For more information:

Crisis Center of Johnson County Suicide Prevention Page

Veterans Hospital Iowa City Suicide Prevention