美國國防部發布的最新數據顯示，2012年美軍現役士兵自殺率明顯攀升，幾乎每天都有一名士兵自殺。截止2012年6月3日，本年度自殺的現役士兵人數已達154人，比去年同期高出24人，同時也高于同時期陣亡的士兵人數。美國國防部發言人表示，自殺是他們目前面臨的最緊迫的問題之一。她指出，士兵自殺的原因尚不明確，不過有數據顯示，多次參與作戰行動的士兵更容易自殺；但同時，他們也發現，自殺的士兵中有相當一部分從未參與過作戰行動。這位發言人表示，為了幫助士兵解決心理問題，美國軍方早在幾年前就開同了加密的心理咨詢熱線。但軍隊里的大部分人，包括將領，都認為，尋求心理援助是懦弱的表現，致使很多人的心理疾患未能得到及時排解。

As of 3 June, 2012 active-duty suicides reached 154, compared with 130 in the same period last year, the Pentagon confirmed to the BBC.

Suicide in the US military has sharply increased this year, hitting a rate of almost one death per day, figures show.

As of 3 June, 2012 active-duty suicides reached 154, compared with 130 in the same period last year, the Pentagon confirmed to the BBC.

The number far exceeds US combat deaths for the same period.

"We are deeply concerned about suicide in the military," a Pentagon spokeswoman said, adding it was "one of the most urgent problems" they faced.

While the reasons for the increase are not entirely understood, the Defence department's own data suggest soldiers with multiple combat tours are at greater risk. But a portion of those taking their own life have never deployed, the figures show.

Suicide in the forces had levelled off during 2010 and 2011, but 2012 has seen the fastest pace since the US war in Afghanistan began in 2001.

Strength or weakness?

News of the suicide rate increase comes despite years of effort by the US military to encourage troops to seek help for mental health problems.

Those efforts include setting up confidential telephone hotlines and placing more mental health specialists near the battlefield.

But reports suggest that some in the military continue to believe that going for help is seen as a sign of weakness.

Last month, Major General Dana Pittard, a commander in the 1st Armored Division, retracted an Army blog post made in January in which he told soldiers considering suicide to "act like an adult".

Gen Pittard also counselled soldiers to seek help, but his remarks drew public rebuke from top military officials, including the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Martin Dempsey.

Gen Dempsey said he disagreed with Gen Pittard "in the strongest possible terms", the Associated Press reported.

Pentagon spokeswoman Cynthia Smith told the BBC that "suicide prevention is first and foremost a leadership responsibility".

"Seeking help is a sign of strength," she added.

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(Agencies)

（中國日報網英語點津 Helen 編輯）