Rangel Hosts Twitter Town Hall To Promote Vets And Their Mental Health

Press Release

Congressman Charles B. Rangel, who represents the 13th Congressional District that includes Upper Manhattan and parts of the Bronx, hosted a Twitter Town Hall to promote veterans Mental Health Awareness Month on Tuesday, May 12, 2015, to raise awareness about veterans and mental health issues. Rangel, a Korean War Veteran, was joined by the Association of Behavioral and Mental Wellness' Stamp Out Stigma campaign, the National Association of Social Workers, Give an Hour's Change Direction campaign and Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA).

"The Town Hall was an opportunity to express our gratitude to veterans, because as a veteran I know what our men and women in uniform have scarificed," Rangel said. "We must do better to support those who have defended our freedoms overseas but are suffering from hidden wounds back at home. Creating awareness and eliminating the stigma of mental illness is an important way to help."

According to the RAND Center for Military Health Policy Research, of the 1.7 million men and women who have served in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, over 300,000 suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) or major depression. In 2015, President Barack Obama signed the Clay Hunt Act into law, which aims to reduce the number of suicides committed every day by members of the military. A 2013 study by the U.S. Veterans Administration (VA) found that about 22 veterans a day are committing suicide.

The event was centered around nine questions, such as "How can you support a friend or family member who is struggling to reintegrate into civilian life?" asked by Rangel to participating groups and individuals to be answered throughout the hour-long discussion. The goal of the Twitter Town Hall was to connect stakeholders of veterans and mental health and facilitate a free-flowing conversation about policy, resources, and various needs.

"In IAVA's member survey, about four out of five veterans who had a loved one suggest they get mental health sought help as a result. Support of family, friends and peers is critical to breaking down the stigma of seeking, help," tweeted IAVA, whose mission is to connect, unite and empower post-9/11 veterans.

"Be supportive and nonjudgmental," tweeted the Stamp Out Stigma campaign. "Let veterans know they are not alone and help is available." Stamp Out Stigma is an initiative spearheaded by the Association for Behavioral Health and Wellness (ABHW) to reduce the stigma surrounding mental illness and substance use disorders. This campaign challenges each of us to transform the dialogue on mental health and addiction from a whisper to a conversation.

"By learning the signs of mental health, we open up the conversation to change mental health for veterans and the community during reintegration into civilian life," tweeted the Change Direction campaign, whose initiative is a collection of concerned citizens, nonprofit leaders, and leaders from the private sector who have come together to create a new story in America about mental health, mental illness, and wellness. This initiative was inspired by the discussion at the White House National Conference on Mental Health in 2013, which came on the heels of the Newtown, Conn. tragedy.

The National Association of Social Workers tweeted, "Social workers have helped veterans recognize signs of mental illness and develop coping mechanisms."The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) is the largest membership organization of professional social workers in the world, with 132,000 members. NASW works to enhance the professional growth and development of its members, to create and maintain professional standards, and to advance sound social policies.

"I am glad I was able to facilitate a discussion to help end the stigma surrounding mental health illnesses and help veterans get the assistance they need. I will continue to work hard in Congress to address the hidden wounds of our returning vets," Rangel said.

This Twitter Town Hall is continuation of Congressman Rangel's efforts to promote mental health awareness month Rangel's visit to the newly-founded Congressional Yogi Association's first-ever Yoga on the Hill event on May 1st, 2015 to advocate for better physical and mental health for veterans.

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