Army Policies Lacking For Suicidal Soldiers’ Care

A review of military policies found that the U.S. Army had none for handling soldiers showing signs of suicidal behavior.

 WASHINGTON, D.C. — A review of military policies found that the U.S. Army had none for handling soldiers showing signs of suicidal behavior.

The review was released five months after Sgt. John Russell allegedly shot and killed five of his fellow soldiers on an Army base in Iraq.

“The report describes a man whose problems were known and who received some counseling, yet at critical times did not appear to get the help he needed,” the Associated Press said.

Russell was put on suicide watch the morning of the shooting, though his unit had known of his condition deteriorating at least four days prior to it.

On that tragic day, Russell was on his fourth visit to the mental health clinic.

An hour after military police took him back to his unit after his short visit, Russell returned to the clinic with a loaded rifle and allegedly opened fire on five soldiers.

Security at the Combat Stress Clinic at Camp Liberty was also “inadequate,” the report stated.