Special Forces Soldier's Suicide Raises Awareness Of Mental Health

This undated photo provided by Alicia Arritt, shows her with former Army Special Forces soldier Matthew Livelsberger, who died by suicide in a Cybertruck that exploded in front of a Trump hotel in Las

A highly decorated Special Forces soldier, known for his valor under fire, tragically died by suicide in a Cybertruck explosion on New Year's Day. The soldier, aged 37, had confided in a former girlfriend, who was an Army nurse, about his significant pain and exhaustion, which she recognized as symptoms of traumatic brain injury.

The soldier, a five-time recipient of the Bronze Star, had a distinguished military career that took him around the world. Despite his achievements, he grappled with the mental and physical toll of his service, including the burden of taking lives and witnessing the deaths of fellow soldiers.

Recently, he sought treatment for depression from the Army and found solace in his former girlfriend, who had experience treating traumatic brain injuries in soldiers.

Former girlfriend, an Army nurse, recognized soldier's symptoms of traumatic brain injury.

Special Forces soldier, aged 37, tragically dies by suicide in Cybertruck explosion.

Soldier, a five-time Bronze Star recipient, struggled with mental and physical toll of service.

Text messages reveal soldier's struggles with concussions, exhaustion, and pain.

Text messages and images shared with his former girlfriend revealed the soldier's struggles with concussions, exhaustion, pain, and reliving the violence of his deployments. He expressed feeling like he was in a personal hell and found comfort in her companionship.

Authorities released excerpts of messages left behind by the soldier, indicating that his actions were intentional and meant to serve as a 'wakeup call' and to 'cleanse the demons' he was facing.

Despite speculation, officials clarified that the soldier harbored no ill will towards any political figure, including President-elect Donald Trump. His choice of using a Tesla Cybertruck for the act was not politically motivated.

The soldier's former girlfriend described him as deeply emotional and not impulsive, suggesting that he had thought out his actions. She highlighted the challenges he faced in seeking help due to the stigma surrounding mental health in his unit.

The Pentagon has urged troops facing mental health challenges to seek support through military networks. The soldier's struggle with depression and reluctance to seek help due to fear of being deemed unfit for deployment shed light on the barriers to mental health care in the military.

His former girlfriend remembered him as sweet, kind, and possessing inner strength and integrity. The tragic incident underscores the importance of addressing mental health issues in the military and providing adequate support to those in need.