Congress presses NSA and Cyber Command on 11 worker suicides in past year

At least 11 NSA and US Cyber Command workers died by suicide over the past year, prompting White House and congressional inquiries into the agencies' mental health practices. The deaths included five suicides between June and July, which the military classified as a cluster, and two more in September. Officials cited overwhelming workloads from foreign conflicts and long, isolating shifts as contributing factors. In response, Cyber Command leader General Joshua Rudd mandated rest periods and requested $11 million for mental health support. Lawmakers have urged approval of the funds, while the Pentagon delayed pay cuts for cyber staff.