“Twenty-two American veterans take their own life each day – an epidemic that should devastate every citizen and push every leader to find solutions,” Congressman Mike Fitzpatrick (PA-8) said. On Thursday, Fitzpatrick, President Obama and a bipartisan group of Congress memeber made a step towards solving the epidemic.
The group gathered in Washington D.C., for the signing of the Clay Hunt SAV Act, which will help expand and strengthen mental health services and outreach for the nation’s veterans.
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“With a new generation of veterans returning from the battlefield, we’re seeing the impact of injuries – those both seen and unseen – as these heroes transition back into civilian life. This law ensures we’re addressing the new challenges our veterans face,” said Fitzpatrick, who cosponsored the bill.
The legislation is named after United States Marine Corps Veteran and Veteran Advocate Clay Hunt. Hunt, who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, and received the Purple Heart, was honorably discharged from the military in 2009. After returning stateside, Hunt sought medical assistance for his PTSD through the VA and worked to appeal his 30 percent disability rating. According to Hunt, his PTSD prevented him from holding a steady job.
After months of waiting and the VA losing his files, Hunt committed suicide at the age of 28. Just five weeks after his death, the VA rated Hunt’s PTSD at 100 percent.
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“The Clay Hunt SAV Act takes meaningful steps toward ensuring that veterans, like Clay, have the resources and treatment they need when they return home,” added Fitzpatrick. “That means increasing access to, boosting accountability for and removing the stigma of potentially-life saving mental health care for those who need it most.”
The legislation calls for an independent review of the shortcomings of the VA’s mental health response, clears the way for the hiring of more VA psychologists, establishes pilot programs to better assist veteran transition to civilian life and authorizes the VA to collaborate with local non-profit mental health organizations to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of suicide prevention efforts, according to a recent press release.
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If you, or a veteran you know, are struggling with access to VA mental health care, please contact Congressman Fitzpatrick’s Veteran Advocates at (215) 579-8102. If dealing with thoughts of suicide, contact the Veterans Crisis Hotline 1-800-273-8255.
