Kristin is writing a research paper on veterans' suicides. She is interested in the topic because she plans to join the military after college and wants to understand the effects of war on mental health and how to prevent depression. Kristin knows that many soldiers commit or attempt suicide after fighting in wars, but she wants to learn more specifics like suicide statistics during different wars and current efforts to address the problem. Her goal is to find ways to reduce veteran suicides and depression.

1. I-Search Paper: What I Knew About My Topic
Kristin S
Veterans' Suicides
26 March 2010
7th Period
I am choosing to do my research paper on veterans' suicides. I am interested in this topic
because I want to be in the Army or the Air Force when I graduate college and I would like to
know more about the effects of war on people in the military and how to prevent depression from
developing as a result. I am also interested in psychology and would like to figure out what about
war makes these soldiers go over the edge. I think it is important to learn more because these are
the men and women who fight in our defense and everything possible should be done to keep
them safe just as they keep us safe.
I already know that many soldiers commit suicide as a result of fighting in wars. I also know
that many other soldiers who do not commit suicide still have severe depression. I always
assumed that it was the stress and guilt of having to kill people to protect the country that made
soldiers slip into depression. However, now I want to know more. I do not know the statistics of
veterans' suicides or during which wars suicides have been most common. I would also like to
know what is being done about this issue and if there is any future hope to reduce the number of
veterans who commit suicide or develop depression. One last thing I would like to know is how to
prevent it from happening. I think if there is any way to prevent suicide in people from the
military, the news should be spread and put to good use.