Carney Seeks to Improve Counseling for Student Veterans

Press Release

Congressman Chris Carney (PA-10) has introduced legislation to improve counseling for student veterans. The Student Veteran Counseling Improvement Act, co-sponsored by Congressman Mark Kirk (R-IL), will provide college and university counselors and mental health professionals with better resources with which to treat student veterans at a time when an increasing number of veterans are attending college upon returning from war.

"We owe it to our men and women in uniform to ensure that their mental health needs are met," said Congressman Carney, who serves in the same Navy Reserve unit as Congressman Kirk. "With an increasing number of veterans returning to college, it is critical that school-based counselors and mental health professionals be familiar with the challenges specific to our fighting men and women."

Student veterans face different challenges than the typical student. These students are often returning from war, separating from the service, and readjusting to civilian life, all the while beginning school. They are also more likely to suffer from mental health or cognitive issues. According to a RAND Study, 14 percent of troops returning from Operation Enduring Freedom or Operation Iraqi Freedom screened positive for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and 14 percent for major depression. Nineteen percent reported a probable Traumatic Brain Injury during deployment. In addition, a report recently released by the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) indicates that there has been a dramatic increase in suicide among veterans 18 to 29 years old.

In March 2009, the VA launched a website -- www.mentalhealth.va.gov/college -- to help campus counselors and mental health professionals learn more about the challenges and problems our student veterans face. From March to December 2009, the site received over 22,000 visitors, indicating a clear need for these services. However, the VA is not tracking who is using the site, nor is it collecting feedback on the site's effectiveness. We can do better.

The Student Veteran Counseling Improvement Act instructs the Department of Veterans Affairs to establish a toll-free hotline manned by a licensed mental health counselor to assist college counselors in treating student veterans with mental health issues. It also requires the VA to provide college counselors and mental health professionals with training in treating veterans. This training could be done in a multitude of formats, including web-based and on-site training. Additionally, the legislation provides incentives to Institutions of Higher Education with more than 100 student veterans using the GI Bill to take advantage of this training.

The VA will submit to Congress a report on the number of colleges and universities with counselors who have been trained, the number of veterans who have committed suicide while enrolled in an Institution of Higher Learning, and the number of calls received by the hotline.

"Those who wore the uniform risked it all in defense of our nation," said Congressman Kirk, who like Congressman Carney serves as a Navy Reserve intelligence officer. "This legislation helps ensure that the young men and women who have sacrificed everything receive the support they need to successfully pursue their dream of obtaining a college education."

The measure is endorsed by the Student Veterans of America, the Air Force Association, the National Guard Association of United States and the American Counseling Association.

Congressman Chris Carney is a commander in the Navy Reserve. He joined the Navy Reserve in 1995.

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