theatlantic:

Gun Culture May Contribute to Suicide Rate in Rural America

Rural Americans between the ages of 10 and 24 are twice as likely as their urban counterparts to commit suicide. And while youth suicides have declined across the country in recent years, suicide rates in sparsely populated areas have remained steady. While it is hard to pinpoint the reasons for this disparity — access to mental health treatments is a major contributor — one reason may be tied to gun culture.

Read more. [Image: rick/Flickr]

theatlantic:

Suicide Has Killed More Troops Than the War in Afghanistan This Year

154 active duty troops have committed suicide in the first 155 days of the new year—a rate alarmingly close to one per day. The number dead from suicides eclipses the U.S. forces killed in Afghanistan by about 50 percent.

Read more at The Atlantic Wire. [Image: AP]