[zigzaggy]

My personal opinion (backed up with a certain amount of experience) is that much of these suicides are due to a soldier being traumatized, then coming home to try to cope with trauma responses. Some then turn to drowning the trauma with alcohol and other bad stuff. That's when the spiral really accelerates.

Unfortunately the stigma you mentioned feels so much worse when someone also hates themselves. They don't recognize the stigma for what it is and start believing they don't deserve to get better.

And yes this seems to be a huge problem across humanity. Overdoses and suicides are at historically high levels. And celebrities with tremendous resources still suffer the same way. Which tells me the technology just isn't there.

[jrapdx3]

No question military experience can be extremely traumatic even without exposure to combat. People vary greatly in "resilience", some are very sensitive to trauma but may have no way to know that about themselves before encountering the damaging situations.

Thing is mental health conditions in general are a huge problem: "Neuropsychiatric disorders are the leading cause of disability in the United States, accounting for 18.7% of all years of life lost to disability and premature mortality." [0] The numbers vary in different countries/regions but the prevalence of such disorders is still non-trivial.

In addition most people don't seek or get adequate treatment, I think stigma is a big factor contributing to making a bad situation worse.

The elements you talk about are certainly true. It really would be a major change for the better if technological advances could make a difference. Given the developments of the last few decades I wouldn't say it can't happen. IMO the jury's out on the question, conceivably research will eventually have something to offer.

[0] https://www.healthypeople.gov/2020/topics-objectives/topic/m...