rap #12 01/26/11

FREEHOLDERS URGE RESERVISTS TO SEEK HELP AS SUICIDES RISE

SUICIDES AMONG National Guardsmen and Army Reservists are increasing at an alarming rate and the Ocean County Board of Chosen Freeholders is encouraging local servicemen and women to seek help before their stress or depression reaches crisis level. "There are few jobs more demanding and stressful than that of a soldiers, marine, sailor or airman," said Freeholder Deputy Director Gerry P. Little. "For a reservist or National Guardsman, the stress is compounded by often unexpected and lengthy tours away from homes and loved ones."

According to federal statistics, there were 242 suicides among all active duty, Army Guard and Reserve troops nationwide in 2010. However, the Army Guard and Reservists suicide rate nearly doubled from the previous year while the numbers of suicides among active-duty personnel dropped. Last year 145 Reservists and National Guard members took their own lives.

Many of those reservists who killed themselves had already completed at least one deployment to a war zone and were scheduled for a second tour overseas.

"This problem is of special concern in Ocean County and New Jersey because of the large number of National Guard units from our state that have been called to active service," Little said.

He encouraged any serviceman or woman, whether on active duty or not, to seek help if they feel themselves slipping into deep depression.

"Our Ocean County Veterans Service Bureau can provide our troops with the help they need," Little said. "We have counseling services and other assistance available and our office is only a phone call away."

Little also serves as liaison to the Ocean County Veterans Service Bureau.

The office can be reached at 732-929-2096.

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is also available 24/7 and can be reached at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or by visiting their website at www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org.

Freeholder Director Joseph H. Vicari said Ocean County is home to more than 68,000 veterans, more than any other county in the state.

"We recognize the tremendous sacrifices made by our men and women in uniform," Vicari said. "They have been on the frontlines defending our freedom and now we must do all we can to help our troops and our veterans."

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