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| Congressman Robin Hayes Sponsors the Armed Services Suicide Prevention Act | | Amanda Little (202) 225-3715 or (202) 226-7152 | February 8, 2008 | |
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WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Robin Hayes (NC-08) sponsored the Armed Services Suicide Prevention Act H.R. 5223 along with Congressman Leonard Boswell (D-IA). This legislation strengthens suicide prevention measures for active duty personnel as well as newly discharged veterans. Suicide results from multiple factors, including mental health problems, substance use, financial hardship, and relationship difficulties. Comprehensive programs that address these risk factors have been proven effective. This bill is companion legislation to Senator Tom Harkin’s bill, which was introduced in the Senate last week.
“Soldiers experience situations that we as civilians can’t comprehend,” said Hayes. “The stress of combat combined with other difficulties can be too much. This legislation seeks to put in place a system that will help identify soldiers in need, while encouraging and facilitating counseling for the soldiers themselves.”
The Armed Forces Suicide Prevention Act will require the Department of Defense to implement comprehensive suicide prevention programs within all branches of the military, including National Guard and the Reserves. The bill includes provisions to provide training and outreach to personnel, encourage help-seeking, and prevent suicide among those who have dedicated their lives to keeping our nation secure.
This bill directs the Department of Defense to:
- Conduct a service-wide mental health campaign to reduce the stigma associated with mental health issues, encourage help-seeking behaviors, and increase awareness that mental health is essential to overall health and that treatments can promote recovery from mental illness. The campaign would raise awareness about assistance for substance abuse issues, as well as relationship and financial difficulties. An outreach campaign would also focus health professionals both on and off military installations to raise awareness of the health needs of returning military personnel.
- Implement annual suicide prevention training of all active duty, Reserve, and National Guard members and involve military leadership in outreach efforts by incorporating suicide prevention training in officer and senior enlisted training courses.
- Strengthen basic lifesaver training and training for military medics and medical personnel to incorporate recognition of risk factors for suicide, identification of signs and symptoms of mental health issues, and protocols for responding to crisis situations involving members of the Armed Forces who may be at high risk for suicide.
- Utilize crisis response teams within units to prevent and respond to traumatic events. Such teams will consist of key personnel such as medical staff, chaplains, family support staff, and peers.
- Provide post-deployment follow-up and assistance for family members and peers of members of the Armed Services on mental health problems, substance use, and financial and relationship difficulties, including information on resources to address these issues.
- Provides resources to the Department of Defense to examine innovative and effective strategies to recruit qualified uniformed mental health professionals.
- Provides resources to the Department of Defense to examine innovative and effective ways to fight the stigma associated with seeking mental health treatment.
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