Veterans suicides a growing issue
Jan. 13--CUMBERLAND -- The high rate of suicide among veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan is gaining attention in Congress and bringing local efforts to raise awareness.
Allegany County Commissioner Bill Valentine is involved in planning an event scheduled for October, the "Rally in the Valley -- 22 No More" a number referencing the daily suicide rate for recent veterans.
"I find it totally disgraceful that we send young soldiers to multiple tours of duty in war zones, then release them with little or no support. Our ... event next October hopes to bring a few thousand young veterans to Allegany County for a weekend of camaraderie, relaxation, and offers from mentors that may be able to help. For the suicide rate for these young veterans to be 22 a day is not acceptable," Valentine said.
Valentine hopes the event will raise awareness of the problem, and "raise needed funds to help our heroes," Valentine said. Details of the event continue to be planned.
The issue is also gaining attention in Washington, where the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for American Veterans (SAV) Act, a bill to strengthen mental health care at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
Clay Hunt was a Marine veteran who took his own life in 2011 folloing his return from Iraq and Afghanistan. Family members and veterans advocates say he struggled to recieve proper care for his mental health injuries.
U.S. Rep. John Delaney supported the bill, which now heads to the Senate, where it failed to move forward at the end of last term.
"When we fail our commitment to American veterans and they don't receive the care they've earned, the results can be devastating. On average, 22 veterans commit suicide each day -- so it is imperative we act," said Delaney.
"Veterans' suicide is a tragedy we can and must address, and although we still have work to do, the reforms contained in the Clay Hunt SAV Act are an important step forward. By strengthening VA oversight, centralizing resources for veterans, and investing in recruitment of mental health professionals, we can help to ensure that our veterans receive the world-class care they deserve," Delaney said.
U.S. Sen. Barbara Mikulski supports the legislation.
"I believe our support for our military on the battlefield must be matched by support for our veterans at home," said Mikulski, a member of the Senate Military Family Caucus. "Our veterans who have fought on the front lines shouldn't have to stand in line for the care and support they need when they return home. We have a responsibility to those who bear the seen and unseen wounds of war. This legislation will help ensure that America's promises to our veterans are promises kept."
U.S. Sen. Ben Cardin agreed and said he looked forward to the Senate's full consideration of the bill. "Our veterans deserve the best possible mental health services we can provide to help them overcome the challenges they face and move toward recovery. For years, I have expressed my concerns about what programs and studies were in place to reduce military and veteran suicides and improve access to quality mental health care," Cardin said.
The bill's provisions include ideas for providing better mental health services for veterans.
"It would ... help better meet the need for mental health care providers by starting a pilot program to repay the student loan debt of psychiatrists who commit to working for the Veterans Health Administration," Cardin said.
While a separate bill focused on helping active-duty personnel became law last year, the SAV Act is structured to aid veterans no longer on active duty.
Passage of the bill brought praise from Hunt's mother and the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), which considers the legislation a top priority.
"We thank members of the House for passing this bill and acting so definitively to help our veterans," said Susan Selke, Hunt's mother. "My husband Richard and I don't want another veteran to go through the strains and impediments Clay faced when he sought mental health care. We hope the Senate can move quickly to pass this critical legislation so veterans can start getting the mental health care they deserve as soon as possible."
The IAVA was formed 10 years ago to advocate for Iraq and Afghanistan veterans and the organization's leader hopes the bill will become law soon.
"Our country is now one step closer to changing the status quo and getting this bill on the president's desk. We urge the Senate to move quickly in passing this bipartisan bill ... We now call on all of Washington to stand with our community. We also hope the president will focus on this bipartisan issue during the State of the Union. Time is precious as 22 veterans die by suicide each day. Not one more veteran should have to wait to get the mental health care they earned after selflessly serving their country." said IAVA CEO and Founder Paul Rieckhoff.
The IAVA is the nation's first and largest nonpartisan, nonprofit organization representing veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan and has nearly 300,000 member veterans and civilian supporters nationwide. The IAVA recently received the highest rating -- four-stars -- from Charity Navigator, America's largest charity evaluator.
To learn more about the bill, and Purple Heart recipient Clay Hunt, visit: www.IAVA.org.
Copyright 2015 - Cumberland Times-News, Md.
