American Medical News (1/28, Fiegl) reports that “suicides by active U.S. service members exceeded the number of combat deaths in 2012, and the rate of suicide among military members has been on the rise.” The article adds, American Medical Association President Jeremy A. Lazarus, MD, a psychiatrist in Denver, said that “physicians should educate themselves and have information about mild brain injuries, postcombat depression and PTSD.” According to American Medical News, “about half of active military members and veterans with illness related to their service will seek care from a physician in private practice,” and Lazarus “said physicians should be prepared to ask questions and screen these patients for depression and anxiety.”
Related Links:
— “Doctors warned on combat link to military suicide risk,”Charles Fiegl, Amednews, January 28, 2013.