Ishita Roy

A Soldier's Suicide Draws Attention To Military's Struggle With Mental Health

Matthew Livelsberger

US soldier suicide

The 37-year Matthew Livelsberger, who was a Special Forces soldier and served in the wartime service in Afghanistan died by a "self-inflicted gunshot" on New Year's Day. This happened the same day before the Tesla Cybertruck, that he was driving also exploded outside the Trump International Hotel Las Vegas. Though, both, not related.

The Washington Post had reported that the soldier had been struggling with mental health and had confided to her ex-girlfriend. He had shared that he experienced health problems linked to repeated concussions. This has highlighted the struggles that the military personnel suffer especially to identify and treat brain injuries and mental health issues. This has also alarmed many lawmakers, medical experts and former military personnel, who are now questioning if enough is being done to prevent similar tragedies.

Mental health issues, are often unnoticed, because these are the invisible wounds, which do not have any external signs. Though, mental health issues could be seen in the way the person behaves, however, more often, than not, these are ignored or just termed as "overreacting". 

These invisible wounds can also hinder one's ability to regulate their behavior, could also lead to substance abuse, insomnia, and other serious issues. Experts believe, such issues, when unseen and unnoticed can lead to steps like suicide. Recent laws and Pentagon programs have also emphasized screening and self-reporting for such injuries, however, experts and critics doubt if the stigma could be broken and action could be taken?

<h4>The Mental Health Struggles Of Military Personnel </h4>

Experts point out that the culture that is encouraged, followed, and often is also the protocol in such spaces includes a lot of high-speed, secretive working environment. For Livelsberger, he too spent the majority of his military career like that. While many pride themselves on such a toughness and resiliency, what often gets ignored is the toll it takes on one's mental health. The secretive environment puts stress on one's mental health, to always ensure that the protocol is not broken, and things are not overshared. While nobody is recommending to not follow the protocol, what is required the access to professional help to figure out a way to deal with this constant stress and pressure. 

Katherine K Kuzminski, a military policy expert at the Center for a New American Security, tells The Washington Post, "There is always the risk that your personal reputation could be harmed if it’s known that you’re really having a problem.”

As per the FBI and the local authorities in Las Vegas, Livelsberger was "likely" to have suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder. This could lead to anxiety, depression, or other such behavior. However, any declaration is yet to be made from the military officials. 

While no motive has been disclosed, the law enforcement authorities recovered writings from Livelsberger's phone and other messages like he wanted to "relieve myself of the burden of the lives I took", reports The Washington Post.

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The 37-year Matthew Livelsberger, who was a Special Forces soldier and served in the wartime service in Afghanistan died by a "self-inflicted gunshot" on New Year's Day. This happened the same day before the Tesla Cybertruck, that he was driving also exploded outside the Trump International Hotel Las Vegas. Though, both, not related.The Washington Post had reported that the soldier had been struggling with mental health and had confided to her ex-girlfriend. He had shared that he experienced health problems linked to repeated concussions. This has highlighted the struggles that the military personnel suffer especially to identify and treat brain injuries and mental health issues. This has also alarmed many lawmakers, medical experts and former military personnel, who are now questioning if enough is being done to prevent similar tragedies. Invisible woundsMental health issues, are often unnoticed, because these are the invisible wounds, which do not have any external signs. Though, mental health issues could be seen in the way the person behaves, however, more often, than not, these are ignored or just termed as "overreacting". These invisible wounds can also hinder one's ability to regulate their behavior, could also lead to substance abuse, insomnia, and other serious issues. Experts believe, such issues, when unseen and unnoticed can lead to steps like suicide. Recent laws and Pentagon programs have also emphasized screening and self-reporting for such injuries, however, experts and critics doubt if the stigma could be broken and action could be taken?The Mental Health Struggles Of Military Personnel Experts point out that the culture that is encouraged, followed, and often is also the protocol in such spaces includes a lot of high-speed, secretive working environment. For Livelsberger, he too spent the majority of his military career like that. While many pride themselves on such a toughness and resiliency, what often gets ignored is the toll it takes on one's mental health. The secretive environment puts stress on one's mental health, to always ensure that the protocol is not broken, and things are not overshared. While nobody is recommending to not follow the protocol, what is required the access to professional help to figure out a way to deal with this constant stress and pressure. Katherine K Kuzminski, a military policy expert at the Center for a New American Security, tells The Washington Post, "There is always the risk that your personal reputation could be harmed if it’s known that you’re really having a problem.”What Happened to Livelsberger?As per the FBI and the local authorities in Las Vegas, Livelsberger was "likely" to have suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder. This could lead to anxiety, depression, or other such behavior. However, any declaration is yet to be made from the military officials. While no motive has been disclosed, the law enforcement authorities recovered writings from Livelsberger's phone and other messages like he wanted to "relieve myself of the burden of the lives I took", reports The Washington Post.

a soldier's suicide draws attention to military's struggle with mental health

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