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KANDAHAR PROVINCE, AFGHANISTAN – NOVEMBER 01 2009: Afghan, Canadian and American troops carry a grievously wounded unidentified Afghan National Army soldier (ANA) to a waiting Medivac helicopter of the 82nd Airborne Combat Aviation Brigade November 1, 2009 in Kandahar province, Afghanistan. The soldier, who later died of his injuries, had stepped on a land mine planted by insurgents severely wounding his legs. Medivac medics, crew chiefs and pilots fly at a moments’ notice into the war zone in Afghanistan, quickly retrieving wounded Western and Afghan troops alike from the battlefield. (Photo by Chris Hondros/Getty Images)

Official records on Fort Hood, the US Army’s largest military base with more than 53,000 soldiers, reveals it has the highest number of  personnel who have taken their own lives, since the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003.

US soldiers are said to be under increasing strain with multiple deployments and with as many as 30 percent returning home suffering from depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress.

Washington Post report official military records show that this year 117 active-duty Army soldiers reportedly  took their lives, with 81 of those cases confirmed. That up from 103 self-inflicted deaths the same period last year. At Fort Hood Military base, 10 took their lives this year and more than 75 have taken their lives over the past six years.

Major Nidal Malik Hasn,  an army psychiatrist now in custody for the shooting of 12 soldiers, and wounding 31 others, at Fort Hood earlier today, would have treated soldiers with post-traumatic stress disorder. Army officials say it is not uncommon for counsellors treating soldiers with post-traumatic stress disorder to experience those symptoms vicariously themselves, particularly hearing story after horrific story in the battlefield.

The 39-year-old  Virginia-born psychiatrist was an intern at Walter Reed Army Medical Center from June 2003 to July 2009, Army officials said. It is being reported that he wanted out of the army but had repeatedly been refused. Although he had yet to serve in combat, he was deeply opposed to American’s war in Afghanistan and Iraq.

The Associated Press reported that Hasan came to the attention of law enforcement agencies this year after an Internet posting under the screen name “NidalHasan”. His posting compared Islamic suicide bombers to Japanese kamikaze pilots. “To say that this soldier committed suicide is inappropriate,” the posting read. “It’s more appropriate to say he is a brave hero that sacrificed his life for a more noble cause.”

The day before the horrific shooting in Fort Hood, the US Army released its newest guide for leaders on suicide awareness aimed at identifying Soldiers at risk and connecting them to suicide-intervention resources.

Fort Hood is the largest active duty armored post in the United States, and is the only post in the United States that is capable of supporting two full armored divisions. In addition to the 1st Cavalry Division and the 4th Infantry Division, Fort Hood is also home for the Headquarters Command III Corps, 3d Personnel Group, 3d Signal Brigade, 13th Corps Support Command (COSCOM), 13th Finance Group, 89th Military Police Brigade, 504th Military Intelligence Brigade, the 21st Cavalry Brigade (Air Combat), the Dental Activity (DENTAC), the Medical Support Activity (MEDDAC), Army Operational Test Command (AOTC) formerly TEXCOM, and various other units and tenant organizations.

Online Resources for Military Families and Soldiers

24/7 Crisis Intervention Resource for Military Members, Spouse and Families
For Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury (Defense Centers of Excellence)
For Warriors, Families, Health Professionals

Mental Health Self-Assessment Program
Post-Deployment Health
Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors
US Army Suicide Prevention Program