Legacy of Our Veterans' Military Exposures
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Why a veterans’ mental health bill is stuck in Congress

PTSD/TBI

PTSD/TBI

The Pentagon has spent hundreds of millions of dollars to help struggling soldiers, but numbers show these efforts have done little to stop the 22 veterans who commit suicide every day.

President Obama has vowed to do more to stop what he has called “an epidemic” of suicides in our military.

There is a bill in Congress that aims to provide more mental health services to veterans, but some think it won’t do much.

The IAVA and Hunt’s parents urged Capitol Hill to fix the problems at the V.A. Lawmakers from both parties have introduced the Clay Hunt SAV Act. The proposed law requires independent evaluations of the V.A.’s suicide-prevention program and expands peer-to-peer counseling. The proposal also allows the V.A. to recruit more psychiatrists by offering to pay-off their school loans. Neiweem said the bill will cost $22 million. “It’s a low cost fiscally for the type of effect it will have on the community.”

If you or anyone you know is struggling with thoughts of sucicide, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). Veterans or members of the military Press 1.Ā 

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