Today, the House Committee on Veterans Affairs passed H.R. 327, the Joshua Omvig Veterans Suicide Prevention Bill, a bill introduced by Congressman Leonard Boswell. The bill now awaits action by the full House.
At the committee mark-up Boswell relayed the story of Joshua Omvig, from Grundy Center, who took his own life after returning from Iraq. "Joshua Omvig needed help when he returned from Iraq," said Boswell. "When I heard about Joshua and after speaking with his parents, I knew something had to be done. One life lost to suicide is one too many. We treat our veterans' physical injuries, now it is time to treat the wounds that are not visible."
"I'm very pleased that the committee moved swiftly on this bill, and look forward when it passes the full House," added Boswell.
H.R. 327 directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to develop and implement a comprehensive program to reduce the incidence of suicide among veterans, would make available 24-hour mental health care for veterans found to be at risk, and develop an outreach and education program for veterans and their families to recognize readjustment problems and promote mental health.