9 Jun 2012

US military suicide numbers up

11:34 am on 9 June 2012

Suicides among American troops on active service have surged this year, far outstripping the number killed in action in Afghanistan.

Figures issued by the Pentagon show suicides averaging one a day in the first five months of this year.

The BBC reports the reasons for the increase are not fully understood, but the data suggests those with multiple combat tours are at greater risk of taking their own lives.

There was also a rise in sexual assaults, domestic violence and alcohol abuse.