Chelsea Manning has gone on a hunger strike 'quite possibly until my permanent incapacitation or death'

Whistleblower Chelsea Manning announced in a statement released Friday she has gone on a hunger strike and intends to continue refusing food "until I am given minimum standards of dignity, respect, and humanity."

Manning, who is transgender, identifies as a woman but is held in a men's military prison in Kansas following conviction for leaking thousands of documents to Wikileaks. Earlier this summer, Manning attempted to commit suicide, which Friday's statement attributes to "lack of care for my gender dysphoria that I have been desperate for."

Now, Manning plans to "refuse to voluntarily cut or shorten my hair in any way; consume any food or drink voluntarily, except for water and currently prescribed medications" on an indefinite basis. "I am prepared for this mentally and emotionally," the letter says. "I expect that this ordeal will last for a long time. Quite possibly until my permanent incapacitation or death. I am ready for this. I need help. Please, give me help."

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An Army spokesman told CBS he is investigating the situation.