US Army suicides have increased since the invasion of Iraq, and although they are still at a lower rate than the general US population, "One suicide is too many," says Colonel Thomas Languirand. The Army is taking a number of approaches to help, according to a story in the Christian Science Monitor:
But one of the more novel solutions is an interactive game called "Beyond the Front," starring Specialist Norton, a character in a kind of modern-day military morality play. The service plans to send out thousands of copies of the game – part of an Army suicide prevention program costing almost $1 million – to educate soldiers about the dangers of not seeking help when they most need it.
In this role-playing game (demo online, not suitable for children), you get a happy ending by choosing to "reach out to fellow soldiers and family members." The story says: "The key to suicide prevention lies in overcoming the stigma of seeking help." Colonel Languirand adds:
"Ultimately, it's not about videos or pocket cards or any other programs, but about educating soldiers to look out for each other."
