WASHINGTON (November 17, 2009)--Soldier suicides this year are almost sure to top last year's, but the Army said Tuesday it has made progress in stemming the problem in recent months.

Army Vice Chief of Staff General Peter Chiarelli told reporters at a Pentagon press conference Tuesday that as of Monday, 140 soldiers are believed to have died of self-inflicted wounds, which is the total number of suicides confirmed in 2008.

But Chiarelli says that huge monthly numbers reported in January and February have tapered off and that the trend has been mostly downward since March.

Chiarelli said he believes the Army is beginning to make progress toward cutting suicides, after an unprecedented effort at working with soldiers through new programs.