Pentagon releases 2012 suicide data; most are young white men using a gun

The Pentagon released final data on military suicides during 2012, painting a general picture of those more likely to take their own lives: Young, white men who used a gun and often had some history of mental health issues.

— Almost 93 percent were male

— 74 percent were white

— Almost 40 percent were between 17-24

— 65 percent used a firearm; almost 76 percent of those used a gun that was not issued by the military

— 25 percent died of asphyxiation, including hanging

— More than 33 percent tested positive for alcohol use; about 24 percent tested positive for drugs

— 55 percent of unsuccessful suicide attempts involved drugs

— 42 percent had a history of some type of behavioral health diagnosis

— More than 28 percent had talked about harming themselves prior to the suicide

— 40 percent reported family or relationship stress in the 90 days prior to suicide; 32 percent reported financial or work stress

— 57 percent had been deployed

— 47 percent had been deployed to the Iraq or Afghanistan wars