PsychBriefs: January 27-February 2, 2008

Army Suicides Reach New High
Suicides among soldiers serving in Iraq reached a new high in 2007, despite increased mental health outreach efforts. Thirty self-inflicted deaths have been confirmed, while an additional six remain under investigation. While this marks an increase over the previous record high in 2006, officials note that more troops were stationed in Iraq this year.
[ARTICLE]

Katrina-Related Displacements Linked to Substance Abuse and Other Mental Health Problems
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has released data showing that adults who were forced to leave their homes for two weeks or more due to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita were at a higher risk of mental health and substance abuse problems that people who did not. Illicit drug use among these people was reported at a rate of 10.5 percent compared to 4.9 percent, while 25.7 percent of the displaced experienced "severe psychological stress" compared to just 9.2 percent of people who did not leave their homes long-term.
[REPORT]