Senator David Perdue Proud To Support Bipartisan Legislation to Prevent Veteran Suicide

Statement

U.S. Senator David Perdue (R-GA) today voted for the Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for American Veterans Act. Named after Clay Hunt, a young veteran who took his life in 2011, the bipartisan bill would improve mental health care and suicide prevention resources for American service members. The bill passed both chambers of Congress unanimously.

"Twenty two veterans commit suicide every day, and that is nothing short of a national tragedy," said Senator Perdue. "Georgia has a large veteran population, and I'm proud to support commonsense legislation like this to help our nation's heroes. I'm glad that both sides of the aisle were able to reach quick agreement on this bill, because keeping promises to our veterans must be one of the federal government's biggest priorities."

The bill requires the Pentagon and Department of Veterans Affairs to:

Submit to independent review of their suicide prevention programs

Make information on suicide prevention more available to veterans

Offer financial incentives to mental health professionals who agree to work for the VA
and help the veteran community.

Source