ARLINGTON, Va. — The Army and National Institute of Mental Health will conduct a five-year study to look into the reasons soldiers decide to take their own lives, officials said Wednesday.

The study will look into questions including whether suicide is a genetic or psychological problem; and it will include thousands of soldiers before, during and after combat, officials said.

Any measures that could reduce suicides will be implemented immediately, Army Secretary Pete Geren told reporters on Wednesday.

Geren also said he expects the number of Army suicides in 2008 to be greater than the number for 2007.