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HELENA, Mont. (AP) Preventing suicide among soldiers is the focus of an Army initiative that includes the Montana National Guard.

The Army has begun a 30-day period intended to heighten awareness of the suicide problem, and says that will be followed a four-month program of training to identify and help soldiers at risk. The Montana National Guard says every unit in the state will be trained in suicide prevention.

Suicides in the Army last year were the highest on record. Top senators on the Veterans Affairs Committee recently asked the secretaries of defense and veterans affairs to convene a joint committee on military suicides.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 02-16-09 0800CST | save this article / add to your favorites list