More US service members die by suicide than in battle

+ Louisiana criminalizes possession of abortion pills US Edition - Today's top story: More military veterans and active duty service members are dying by suicide than in battle – understanding why can help with prevention [View in browser]( US Edition | 27 May 2024 [The Conversation] [The Conversation]( Top headlines - [Previewing the closing arguments for Trump’s trial]( - [Poets explore Memorial Day]( - [How dogs help vets with PTSD]( Lead story The first time I saw the San Francisco National Cemetery was during a run along the forested trails of the Presidio, when I stumbled upon a procession of white tombstones. Arrayed in a quiet, orderly formation, they seemed to disappear down a green slope into the shimmering waters of the bay, where the Golden Gate Bridge loomed like a specter buttressing the horizon. I’ve since run past the low stone wall encircling the cemetery enough times to usually spare it not much more than a glance. But I’m always struck by the centuries of bodies resting beneath my feet, of the sheer number of people who gave up their lives to protect this land. I’ll also find myself thinking of the lost bodies in the waters beneath the Golden Gate Bridge – including that of the veteran who was the first person recorded to jump off it. Active duty service members and veterans are still dying of suicide – four times as many have died by suicide than died in battle since 9/11. April Smith, a psychology scholar at Auburn University, has spent nearly two decades studying why certain groups of people, including service members, experience high rates of suicidal thoughts and acts. She notes that while researchers already know the factors that put service members at risk of suicide, increasing rates suggest that a [different approach to studying suicide among service members is needed for prevention](. “Based on our study results, considering how the military both fosters and hinders a sense of belonging and effectiveness could help address suicide risk factors,” she writes. [ [Understand what’s going on in Washington and around the world. Get our Politics Weekly newsletter.]( ] Vivian Lam Associate Health and Biomedicine Editor Active duty service members and veterans experience unique stresses that can lead to suicide. MivPiv/iStock via Getty Images Plus [More military veterans and active duty service members are dying by suicide than in battle – understanding why can help with prevention]( April Smith, Auburn University Suicide among military service members in the US is a growing problem. 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And in New Mexico, the governor appoints justices who must also win a partisan election shortly after taking office.]( From the story, [Georgia Supreme Court justice appointed by governor wins election to full term – a common occurrence in some states where voters are supposed to pick their judges]( - - More of The Conversation Like this newsletter? You might be interested in our weekly and biweekly emails: • [Weekly Highlights]( • [Science Editors' Picks]( • [Giving Today]( [New!] • [This Week in Religion]( • [Politics Weekly]( • [Global Perspectives]( • [Global Economy & Business]( Follow us on social media: • [Bluesky]( • [Mastodon]( • [Threads]( • [Nostr]( • [LinkedIn]( • [Instagram]( • [Facebook]( • Or [get a daily text from us]( - - About The Conversation We're a nonprofit news organization dedicated to bringing you facts and trustworthy analysis to [help you make sense of our complex world](. 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