Veteran highlights mental health care failures in Army Special Forces after suicide of Master Sgt. Livelsberger

Retired Special Forces Sgt. Greg Walker highlighted failures in mental health care for Army Special Forces after the suicide of Master Sgt. Matthew Livelsberger. Walker noted a culture that discourages seeking help and pressures mental health professionals to prioritize deployment readiness. Suicide rates among Special Forces have risen, with 18 deaths in 2022 compared to six in 2017. Reports indicate that elite troops often avoid seeking help due to fears of being sidelined or stigmatized, leading to tragic outcomes. Walker called for major reforms, including better oversight of mental health care and a shift in mission assignment practices to prioritize soldiers' well-being. He emphasized the need for commanders to heed mental health professionals to prevent further tragedies.