Army Suicides Climb; Rate Highest in 26 Years

American soldiers are killing themselves at the highest rate since the Persian Gulf War, the AP reports. Statistics out today show 99 active-duty soldiers committed suicide in 2006, both the highest single number and the highest rate per deployed since 1991. The problem was worst in Iraq, the most common deployment location for attempts and suicides.

More than a quarter of the suicides took place in Iraq or Afghanistan. Firearms were the leading cause of death. There was significant correlation between suicides and length deployed in foreign countries, and " limited evidence to support the view that multiple ... deployments are a risk factor for suicide behaviors," the report says. (More suicide stories.)