Congressman Ruben Hinojosa Applauds President's Signature of Measure to Prevent Veteran Suicide

Press Release

Today, President Obama signed H.R. 203, the Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for American Veterans (SAV) Act into law. This bipartisan legislation -- which unanimously passed both the House and Senate -- addresses the epidemic of suicide among our nation's veterans.

"Addressing this urgent problem, with a plan of action in place, is long overdue," said U.S. Rep. Hinojosa. "Now, thanks to bipartisan support, we have a law that will help our veterans who struggle with so many issues that only they and their fellow servicemen and women can fully understand. We must as a nation stand in support of our brave veterans, now and always."

Named in honor of late Iraq and Afghanistan War veteran and noted suicide prevention advocate who committed suicide on March 31, 2011, The Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for American Veterans Act (H.R. 203) is another step toward ensuring our nation's veterans have the support they need.

Twenty-two veterans commit suicide daily -- more than 8,000 every year. Of the more than 2 million Americans who have served in combat in Afghanistan and Iraq, it is estimated that one-third, roughly 600,000 women and men, have traumatic brain injury, PTSD or depression. In 2014, over 1.4 million Veterans with a mental health diagnosis enrolled in VHA services--an increase of 64% from 2005. This bill will support those veterans, expanding access to and improving the effectiveness of mental health services to help respond to their specific needs.

The Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for American Veterans Act will take a multi-faceted approach to improve mental health services for our veterans. The bill will establish a peer support and community outreach pilot program to assist transitioning service members with accessing VA mental health care services. To ease access to services, the bill will require the VA to create a one-stop, interactive website to serve as a centralized source of information regarding all mental health services for veterans. A student loan repayment pilot program aimed at recruiting and retaining psychiatrists included in the legislation will help address the shortage of mental health care professionals. To improve care, the legislation will require an annual, third-party evaluation of all mental health care and suicide prevention practices and programs at the VA to find out what's working and what's not.

The bill was introduced by Representative Tim Walz (D-MN), the highest ranking enlisted soldier ever to serve in Congress; Representative Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), a Purple Heart recipient, Iraq War veteran, and member of the Army National Guard; and Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Committee Jeff Miller (R-FL).

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