UK Ministry of Defence Report:
Army Recruits More Likely to Die
by Suicide than Civilians

UK Ministry of Defence Report:
Army Recruits More Likely to Die
by Suicide than Civilians

by Kevin Caruso

August 28, 2004

The Ministry of Defence [British spelling] of the United Kingdom has released a report indicating that soldiers in the U.K. aged 19 and younger are 1.7 times more likely to die by suicide than civilians of the same age.

The report also indicated that members of the military who are 20 or older are less likely to die by suicide than their civilian counterparts.

Twenty-nine soldiers aged 17 to 19 have died by suicide in the past 10 years, compared with just 12 civilians in the same age group.

Four young privates -- two aged 17, one 18, and one 20 -- died by suicide at the Deepcut Barracks in Surrey between 1995 and 2002.

The Ministry of Defence indicated that military training facilities were being randomly inspected to ensure that recruits are being well cared for and that reports of misconduct, intimidation, and bullying are being carefully tracked.

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If you or someone you know is suicidal, please go to the Home Page of this website for immediate help.

Thank you.

I love you.

Take care,

Kevin Caruso