Dr. Benishek: We Must Act Now to End Veterans' Suicide
Press Release
Today, Dr. Dan Benishek (MI-01) applauded the bipartisan passage of H.R. 5059, the Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for American Veterans (SAV) Act, which is designed to improve suicide prevention and mental health services for veterans. A veteran in this country commits suicide every 65 minutes; meaning 22 lives are extinguished every day.
"As the father of a veteran, and a doctor who worked at a VA hospital in Northern Michigan, I know that the challenges of military life do not end once our service members return from active duty. Far too many of our veterans and military personnel have taken their own life after bravely serving our nation. The mental wounds of war may be invisible, but no less real to the young men and women suffering from them. Facing high unemployment rates, the stigma of post-traumatic stress disorder, and a loss of military fellowship, returning veterans often face a crisis of confidence at the very moment they should feel nothing but relief and rest," said Dr. Benishek, the Chairman of the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Health.
The Clay Hunt SAV Act will increase access to mental health care, address the shortage of mental health care professionals within the VA, and create programs to assist service members who are transitioning from active duty.
"The time to act to address the epidemic of veterans' suicide is now. With this bill, and continued focus on the health of our veterans, we can make a real impact," added Dr. Benishek.
Dr. Benishek has been a leader in advocating for reform at the VA since coming to Washington in 2011 and is an original cosponsor of the Clay Hunt SAV Act. Dr. Benishek spent 20 years working as a surgeon at the Iron Mountain VA Hospital. He is the only member from Michigan on the Veterans Committee and is Chairman of the Health Subcommittee. His "Demanding Accountability for Veterans Act" passed the House unanimously in June and he played an integral role in the passage of historic veterans reform legislation signed into law earlier this year.
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