Factors reported to contribute to a high suicide rate among U.S. soldiers in Iraq (in descending order of frequency):

• lengthy deployments / insufficient family time
• loss of close relationship / failed relationships /marital stress / "Dear John" letters
• stress of combat / harsh and dangerous living conditions / boredom / sleep deprivation
• legal or financial matters
• inadequate mental health services / fear of being stigmatized
• PTSD / Depression (although whether this can be seen as a cause or is itself a symptom is debatable)
• easy access to weapons and ammunition
• disproportionate number of young males (18 - 34) who are statistically more likely to succeed at committing suicide
• low self-esteem
• "what they perceived as restrictions on their personal freedom" (Szegedy-Maszak)

Terms used in Pentagon casualty statistics making it hard to confirm number of suicides:

• Unexplained deaths
• Accidental deaths
• Noncombat weapons discharges
• Noncombat injuries
• Non-hostile deaths