Bill Aims to Help Prevent Suicide Among Veterans

Senator John Walsh of Montana has introduced a bill that aims to reduce the number of veterans who commit suicide.

The staggering number of veterans who commit suicide has been relatively well-publicized.  We are finally realizing the dramatic impact that illnesses such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injury (TBI) have on the lives of our veterans after they return home from service.  An average of 22 veterans commits suicide each day.

Sen. Walsh, who is the first Iraq war combat veteran to serve in the U.S. Senate, says that veterans should not have to deal with the devastating effects of PTSD and TBI on their own.  The bill has several key provisions, one of which involves enabling veterans to receive more time to get mental health treatment following their returns home.  Another provision involves improving the quality of the healthcare professionals treating veterans by making VA healthcare jobs more attractive to professionals.

Although the costs of Sen. Walsh’s programs are not clear, he warned that the long-term costs would be even more expensive if nothing is done soon.

More Information:
Veterans and Mental Health

• Veterans Disability Benefits for TBI
• Veterans Disability Benefits for PTSD
• Veterans Disability Benefits for Mental Disorders