Federal Drive

Female suicide rates triple at war

The suicide rate for female soldiers triples when they go to war, according to data from an Army study.

Federal News Network Staff

March 18, 2011 8:40 am

< a min read

The suicide rate for female soldiers triples when they go to war. The first round of preliminary data from an Army study shows the suicide rate rises from 5 per 100,000 to 15 per 100,000 among women in war zones. The findings were released to USA Today. The report says scientists aren’t sure what’s causing the dramatic increase, but they’re focusing on whether women feel isolated in a male-dominated war zone. Another possibility – women feel more anxiety about leaving their families behind. The suicide risk for female soldiers serving in Iraq or Afghanistan is lower than for men.

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