Fewer Fort Carson Suicides So Far This Year

Fort Carson commanders are reporting some encouraging news about soldier suicides, with only one confirmed suicide so far this year.

At a forum on suicide prevention on Thursday, post officials said three other deaths are under investigation as possible suicides.

Brig. Gen. James Doty (DOH’tee) says the post is taking steps to prevent suicides that include training for leaders at all levels, easy access to behavioral health specialists and assigning sponsors to new soldiers at the post.

Doty said in January that Fort Carson last year had seven suicides, for a suicide rate of 31 per 100,000. Nine Fort Carson soldiers committed suicide in 2009 for a suicide rate of 49 per 100,000.

Fort Carson doesn’t know what the suicide rate is this year.