Military Times: Several service members attempted suicide aboard US aircraft carrier

Several service members aboard the US aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln attempted suicide amid the prolonged mission and uncertainty over when they would return home.

According to Military Times cited by Report, the aircraft carrier, with a crew of about 5,000, began its deployment in the second half of November. The mission was initially expected to last six months and end in May, but the USS Abraham Lincoln has now been deployed for more than eight months.

Relatives of service members told the newspaper that several sailors had attempted to jump overboard. They cited excessive workload, exhaustion and depression among the possible causes of their emotional distress.

The US Navy said the carrier's command continuously monitors the mental health of service members and is prepared to provide them with the necessary psychological and medical assistance.

The US Navy declined to disclose the exact number of service members who attempted suicide or intentionally harmed themselves.