This data is really tragic. I think it is caused by a combination of factors, not just one reason.
Not only in the military, but many people tend to hesitate to talk openly about depression, trauma, or loneliness. For active-duty service members or veterans, this tendency may be even stronger. They may feel they have to stay strong and not show weakness, so they struggle silently, eventually reaching a point where they take their own lives.
One hidden problem is that many people look fine from the outside, but they may be dealing with depression or anxiety. They may not talk about it because they are afraid of social stigma.
I think military life can be very stressful because service members are under constant pressure.
In an environment where discipline and toughness are emphasized, some people may worry that admitting mental struggles could affect their career or how others see them.
スクリーニングプロセスの問題
I read that when you join the military, you go through all kinds of tests—medical exams, fitness tests, drug screenings, and vocational tests—to see if they are fit for military service and figure out your strengths to place you in the right job category. But I was surprised to read that the US military doesn't actually have a standardized mental health screening for new recruits.
Instead, they mostly rely on medical records and self-reported questionnaires and they only step in when there are clear signs that someone may be struggling.
This means some people may join the military even though they may not be able to cope well with post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD.
It’s pretty shocking that for such a high-stakes job, the mental health check isn't more thorough.
And I guess if a recruit really wants to join, they might not be honest about their mental health history on a questionnaire.
なぜ嘘をついてまで入隊したいのか？
Please tell me if my speculation is wrong, but I guess joining the military can sometimes be an easy way for some people to get a stable job. In that case, some recruits might hide their mental health history in order to enlist. I’d like to believe most people join out of patriotism, but given the job market in the US, do you think that kind of thing actually happens?
If someone joins the military because they have no other job and need to support their family, it’s not easy for them to just quit and go home—even if they are suffering. They probably feel like they have to keep pushing for their family's sake. On top of that, once they're deployed, they can't just say, 'This is too hard, I want to go home.' They'd fear the social stigma or being labeled a failure.
In Japan, we often tell people struggling with school or work that 'it’s okay to run away' or take a break. But for a soldier, 'running away' is seen as a disgrace.
Because they feel they have no way out, they might feel driven to end their lives.
On the other hand, I've heard that veterans often struggle to reintegrate into civilian life or find a new career path. If that’s true, I imagine it could be a huge trigger for mental health issues.
Some might feel isolated from society or emotionally burned out. From an American perspective, do you think the US does enough to help veterans transition back to 'normal' life?
なぜ職探しが大変なのか？
At the same time, I wonder why veterans often struggle to find a job, even though they are generally respected in society. Does that mean the experience people gain in the military doesn’t always translate well to civilian jobs? For example, in movies or TV shows, former police officers often become security guards or private investigators.
But when it comes to veterans, doesn't respect always automatically translate into easy employment?
If this is true, I feel this may be one of the most paradoxical parts of American culture.
