When Borderline Personality Disorder Is a Crime

In 2004, my friend Carl and I spent several months talking with and listening to suicidal members of the armed forces. While we were able to help some of them, others still have outstanding criminal charges.

Criminal?

Yes. Sadly, the current military culture all but criminalizes mental illness--especially when borderline personality disorder (BPD) arises as a complication of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

[caption id="attachment_297" align="alignnone" width="170" caption="The Joint Service Color Guard advances at a ceremony. The military has seen a rise in suicide since the beginning of the War on Terror."][/caption]