Washington (HRNW)- Eight suicide attempts have been reported across the USS Abraham Lincoln strike group during its prolonged deployment in the Middle East, according to a letter from Acting Secretary of the Navy Thomas Modly to Democratic Senator Kirsten Gillibrand.
The letter was issued in response to questions from Gillibrand about the living conditions and overall well-being of service members aboard the carrier and its accompanying strike group.
According to the document, the eight reported suicide attempts occurred across the entire strike group since the deployment began. Modly clarified that no suicide deaths occurred aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln itself during the deployment.
The carrier has remained deployed for an unusually extended period, with its mission lengthened amid ongoing US military operations in the Middle East. Nearly 5,000 personnel were aboard the vessel during its recent port visit to Thailand after approximately 286 days at sea.
Concerns over conditions aboard the carrier have previously included reports of shortages of food, infrastructure problems, and mental health difficulties. US lawmakers had called for further examination of the circumstances affecting personnel during the lengthy deployment.
The reported suicide attempts have renewed attention to the mental health and welfare of military personnel serving during prolonged deployments, particularly amid sustained combat operations and extended periods at sea.
US Navy officials have stressed that the reported incidents did not result in a suicide death aboard the carrier during the deployment, while the Navy continues to address mental health concerns among service members.
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