Kennedy, Langevin Host Discussion: Meeting the Mental Health Needs of Returning VeteransOctober 25, 2010 Warwick, RI - Congressmen Patrick J. Kennedy and Jim Langevin will convene a conversation about the challenges facing our Veterans this Monday, October 25 at the Rhode Island Army National Guard Joint Force Headquarters in Cranston.
Round table participants will include National Guard leadership, law enforcement officials, judges, military family advocates, community health and behavioral healthcare professionals. They will discuss the emerging needs for the growing Veteran population in Rhode Island.
Since 9-11 the Rhode Island National Guard has seen the second highest per-capita deployment rate among the 54 state and territories with more than 5600 individual deployments among its 3200 member force.
“The increasing number of Veterans, specifically National Guard and Reserve Citizen-Soldiers, which we have here in Rhode Island in great abundance, is predictably having an impact on our medical, behavioral, and legal systems, said Kennedy. “As I approach the end of my service, I want to insure that we continue a full-spectrum dialogue which brings all the stakeholders to the table to support the needs of these special men and women and their families.”
Last year, Congressman Kennedy joined Senator Kerry introducing legislation to create the first national Veterans court program. This legislation is modeled after highly successful pilot programs conducted on the state and local levels in jurisdictions across the nation. This event will highlight the need for this legislation, and other initiatives, while showcasing Rhode Island’s leadership on this very important issue.
“We owe it to our Veterans, who sacrificed so much in service to our nation, to help them successfully re-enter civilian life,” said Langevin. “I am looking forward to hearing our state leaders in this area discuss how to best approach this growing problem.”
“Though the vast majority of our Soldiers, Airmen, Sailors, and Marines return and reintegrate seamlessly into society, and in most cases contribute in greater ways to their community and employers as a result of their experiences, we are keenly aware that some of our folks do become lost,” stated the Adjutant General of Rhode Island, Major General Robert T. Bray. “We owe our greatest debt and allegiance to those who have suffered as a result of their service,” concluded Bray.
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