Despite expanded programs and increased money going towards helping the mental well-being of soldiers, new data released by the Pentagon shows that suicide rates among soldiers have increased over the last year. So far this year a total of 172 soldiers have committed suicide. A total of 162 soldiers committed suicide in all of 2009. Suicide is the third-leading cause of death for soldiers, trailing only combat deaths and accidental deaths from drug overdoses and drunken driving according to the Army.

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