Congress presses spy agencies on worker suicides

At least 11 National Security Agency and U.S. Cyber Command workers died by suicide over the past year, a higher number than previously known, prompting White House and congressional staff to question their leaders behind closed doors. The deaths, which occurred amid a surge in workload from foreign conflicts, have led military commanders to control long work hours and expand mental health support for intelligence officers and government hackers. From early June to early July, five workers took their own lives, leading the military to link them as a suicide cluster. Officials note many factors can contribute to suicide, but the unusual spate has drawn scrutiny to the agencies' operations. The military has responded with measures to address the increased stress on personnel.