Abstract
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September 11, 2001 is forever marked as the day which started our nation's ongoing war on terrorism. This is a war that has lasted nearly my entire life thus far, and it is certainly a war unlike any other. Despite the fact that this war involves far less combat then its preceding wars, the amount of soldiers that we lose each day has remained, and it is alarming. Yet, this is not a result of violent combat, but rather increasing struggles during a soldiers’ transition home. The soldier suicide crisis is a complex national dilemma that has resulted in the deaths of thousands of American soldiers. To begin unraveling the crisis, one must acknowledge the roles of PTSD, the difficulties with coming home, our changed society and war, and the corruption of our healthcare system. Although they are viewed as quite distinct difficulties, each play an equal part in the rise in soldier suicide as they immensely affect the mental health and well-being of the returning soldiers. It is crucial for the sake of our nation to understand the roots this crisis has in the realm of psychology and human behavior, only then can we truly begin making changes for our soldiers.
