July 6, 2011 in News

Obama to send condolences for military suicides

Christine Mai-Duc Tribune Washington bureau

WASHINGTON — Breaking with a long-standing unwritten policy, President Barack Obama announced Wednesday that he will now send condolence letters to families of military service members who commit suicide or die of an accident in a combat zone.

“This issue is emotional, painful, and complicated, but these Americans served our nation bravely,” Obama said of the suicide deaths in a statement. “They didn’t die because they are weak. And the fact that they didn’t get the help they needed must change.”

The White House said the decision to alter the long-standing practice of honoring only combat deaths came after “a difficult and exhaustive review of the former policy.” The condolence letter policy is an emotionally charged one, especially for surviving family members who say it has left them feeling that their sacrifice is somehow less significant.

Connie Scott, a volunteer in military suicide support groups, said it would be a comfort for those grieving family members who are covered.

Her son, Army Pfc. Brian Matthew Williams, took his life the day before he was supposed to return to Iraq in 2007. But because he did not die in a combat zone, Scott’s family would not receive a letter under the new policy.

“It absolutely would have meant a lot to me at that time to have known that Brian was respected and that his death mattered to other people,” she said. Suicide is a growing problem for the U.S. military. Some 271 service members killed themselves in 2010, up from 151 a decade earlier. A third of those deaths occurred in combat zones.

“We suffered a loss too,” she said. “I’m grateful for this step, but we have a lot of work to do.”

Troop family support groups and mental health advocates applauded the policy change.

“This is an important step that can help eliminate the stigma associated with suicide and provide valuable emotional support to families,” said Dr. David Shern, president and CEO of Mental Health America, one of several groups that started a petition campaign to change the policy.

But the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors, a peer-based support group for military families, criticized the decision to draw a line between families of service members who die on foreign and U.S. soil. “For families, that does not go unnoticed and is often hurtful” it said.

The Obama administration stressed the importance of promoting mental health resources in the armed services.

27 comments on this story so far. Add yours!

Dazzeetrader11 on July 06 at 7:01 p.m.
“Elect me”!! “Elect me”!!….I found a new way that you’ll like me!….give this to the media so they’ll print something about how nice and concerned I am!! Mr Smartmouth incompetent wants you lefties to somehow like him more than you do already. Us conservative already there’s no road home unless he’s booted. Nice tactic…just doesn’t work….why don’t you stop the wars like you promised OBAMA!!! That would show concern……..actions not words….like REAL men do.
Everyone knows the mental issues occurring and have occurred for military men. Decades it’s been going on. We conservatives, of course, salute our military men who pass for whatever reason. We mourn with their families. For us, it’s not just an election op…Obama needs to focus on being less fraudulent. He stoops to this, he’ll stoop to…..oh nevermind.
force_vector on July 06 at 7:19 p.m.
More time and effort should have been spent on suicide prevention and getting troops the counseling they NEED, rather than debating policy regarding Presidential letters. No one wants one of these letters. They want their loved one to do their duty, and come home safely. And if, in the course of duty, things don’t go how they would have hoped, then a letter of appreciation might help ease some pain.
misjustice on July 06 at 7:24 p.m.
I just knew it…even a newly implemented policy which shows regard for the troops is taken as an opportunity to bash President Barack Hussein Obama. Thanks for not disappointing.
force_vector on July 06 at 7:35 p.m.
hey misjustice, your acknowledging Dazz’s post makes you just as bad. Grow up and learn to ignore stupidity. I ignore most of yours all the time.
jessiepn on July 06 at 8:35 p.m.
Dazeetrader11 wrote: “We conservatives, of course, salute our military men who pass for whatever reason…For us, it’s not just an election op…”
Excuse me? What does sympathy for the deaths of service personnel and support for their families have to do with political beliefs? What kind of holier-than-thou garbage is that? (And by the way, is it only military men who pass that you salute? Do you really think that there are no women in the military who have died while serving?)
It’s attitudes like yours, this blind and unreasoning hatred of the current administation no matter what it does, that makes me despair of any chance at civil discourse in this country.
Dazzeetrader11 on July 06 at 8:51 p.m.
You guys are taking things pretty seriously…for libs. I thought all of you were fully of gayness and folly when it comes to the US. I mean, seriously, look who you voted in….a fraud who actually sold you on his “experience” as a community organizer who would……..end the wars. You loved him then and you love him now…I guess we know how much growth each of you has experienced. Not much.
Obama is in trouble. And I make a joke and you don’t laugh??? The Messiah……..your savior……..I suppose he’d got to try something..anything…..to gather votes.
Us conservatives aren’t given to stunts. We honor them everyday. I suppose the guy who promised the Iraq and Afghan wars would be over already has reason to have some guilt. he should have…considering the US has more troops in service over there than when he was elected. So…he must do something to show his concern…doesn’t he?
He’s not showing much in real life so he makes a gesture. It’s how he is you know…..he gets nothing done but promises and gestures. He means nothing. Sorry children, your savior is as close to a bum and we’ve seen in 20 years…no 30 years. I make a joke and you don’t laugh? Obama IS the joke kids.
How disingenuous of him.
greenlibertarian on July 06 at 8:54 p.m.
Do not feed the sick troll.
Dazzeetrader11 on July 06 at 8:57 p.m.
And now this Greenie…and you others…trust him still? The guy’s a fraud and you’ll eat it up till his last day and beyond. “Let’s make a deal” say your lil leader…
http://dailycaller.com/2011/07/06/obama-puts-medicare-social-security-cuts-on-the-table/
Like him now? Oh there’s much more….grit your little tooths.
He makes fools of you with your own money and you seem to love it.
maria on July 06 at 8:58 p.m.
Laugh at your “Joke” Dazee? I’m afraid I can’t do that.
misjustice on July 06 at 9:10 p.m.
Aww, Maria, she’s just mad cause someone dropped a house on her sister…
“I can sing it, if you’d like…”
maria on July 06 at 9:16 p.m.
Yes, sing it, Miss J. I’d like to hear it. ; )
What rhymes with “Witch & Twitch”?
Dazzeetrader11 on July 06 at 9:23 p.m.
The man’s corrupt. he’ll do or say anything to be re-elected. You foolish libs put him in last time without a record. NOW his record is terrible and worthy of an early vacation.
Let’s hope he vacates on timel Worst president seen in generations…no experience and he continues to screw up.
http://dailycaller.com/2011/07/06/obama-recognizes-mistakes-in-twitter-town-hall/
Of course, I hope none of you takes offense. See how “even he” did understand how bad it was?…why doesn’t he just blame Bush on the spot as an excuse. He’s been doing it for 4 years! .lol whatta crock. HE couldn’t spot a freight train coming at him. …and if he did, he’d blame his stupidity and inexperience on someone else….probably Bush. Think Obamy will blame Bush for the $4.6 trillion Obamay added to the debt? He’ll try…before it’s done, he’ll try…he’ll say Bush “forced” him to!.
And you libs will suck up the swill and illogic of it.
Dazzeetrader11 on July 06 at 9:26 p.m.
http://gawker.com/5818310
Oh and you thought Obama’s staff would be in the same boat as you are? Think again children. But you’ll continue to praise him. “Bush did it”…and all that rot. Get a man in that job…not some liberal sissy.
maria on July 06 at 9:31 p.m.
Hey, Mis J, I think we’re due for another VooDoo doll ceremony. Ya think?
jessiepn on July 06 at 9:32 p.m.
Dazeetrader11 wrote: “Us conservatives aren’t given to stunts.”
Once again, excuse me? Let’s start with Mr. Bush and his “Mission Accomplished” banner, and then go on and on and on about all the posturing and braggadocio from your “leaders” in the House. Any time you talk about “conservatives” as a group, you’re in trouble – there are conservatives I respect, and then there’s the ones who are ready to run this country into the ground just to ensure that Obama will fail.
Kivaari on July 06 at 9:39 p.m.
DAZY, Good comments. There is nothing Obama does that isn’t political in nature. He is the epitome of the slimy politician.
He will time everything around the next election cycle. He will be aided by the liberal media and persons such as Misjustice.
Dazzeetrader11 on July 06 at 9:42 p.m.
Obama will make Obama fail all by himself. America knows a fraud now that the fraud has a track record. Frauds aren’t tolerated well in the US…especially those who continue to blame someone else for his failure. It’s been this way al along. It’s kind like a law student thinking and convincing someone that he/she has enough wisdom to be on the Supreme Court. Multiple screw up happen. Flimflam people without training continue to play the game. He’s discovered for what he is……. a flat out fake. The little emperor has no clothes.
maria on July 06 at 9:47 p.m.
And HE will be elected president again. Boo Hoo Kivarri and you.
johnclarke on July 06 at 9:56 p.m.
As a veteran, I applaud this decision. I also think that this thread is full of vile comments from people who never wore the uniform.
maria on July 06 at 10:12 p.m.
I thank you and Mis J for your service to our country, JC.
p.s. Love that you have the same initials as my hero!
Dazzeetrader11 on July 06 at 11:01 p.m.
Clarkie…you never wore any uniform. Now stop it right now!!…..or I’ll be forced to have Maria call you a name!
Meanwhile though…. I was wondering if you all wanted more vile comments….Im thinking you do…..just from the tenor of things… since I ve cover the mess he’s made in the economy…and since I’ve demonstrated Obama’s going to sell our Medicare and SS for the sake of his re-election….here’s another dooozy. I have some others….but the hour is late…so I’ll be posting more tomorrow….See how he says he wants jobs but in reality tries to wipe out jobs in the Jet Industry.
http://dailycaller.com/2011/07/06/jet-industry-furious-at-obama/
Kivaari on July 06 at 11:07 p.m.
If Obama is re-elected it will just confirm that the country is lost. It is like the OJ verdict. It made no sense to find him innocent, it came down to racial prejudice (the black jury) getting him off. Since the black community votes 98% lib/democrat he has a 14% voter base. That along with the pinko left and right coasts he may get in. Too bad, our system has failed because our voters are so ill-informed and so prejudiced that they vote for him, even though he has no merit.
Dazzeetrader11 on July 06 at 11:14 p.m.
Here is what “Dear Leader” wants for you lefties. In his own words..
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2011/07/06/obama_acknowledges_welfare_programs_encourage_dependency.html
liberal_in_right_wing_land on July 06 at 11:24 p.m.
Dazzee, have you ever heard of spell check and maybe, just maybe actually previewing your comment before you hit Post public comment button. You could be making the best points in the world, but sorry its hard to take someone serious who’s post look like the are from a 1st grader.
Patanjali on July 07 at 12:00 a.m.
I do not understand how anyone without a political agenda could object to this decision.
misjustice on July 07 at 7:49 p.m.
@ Maria, voodoo accomplished. Pin pain in 1, 2, 3…
; )
maria on July 07 at 8:23 p.m.
Lol. Poof! And he’s gone!
Musta been his bragging about his crack and stuff.