Update: September 5 2023 The United States Army updated its suicide prevention policy on 1 September 2023 to include congressionally-mandated mental health rules permitting soldiers to request mental health care for any reason. This means the Army is finally in compliance with the Brandon Act of 2021. What follows is preserved here for archival purposes…. Read more »
Update: When Congress passed the Brandon Act in 2021, implementation was delayed. News outlets, including Military.com, report the Defense Department “did not craft the policy in response to the law until this May. In that interim, 440 active-duty service members across the six armed forces died by suicide, according to records kept by the Pentagon… Read more »
Get the latest updates on the VA’s Veteran Crisis Hotline, and find the resources and support you need to cope with the unique challenges of being a veteran. Learn more.
Phrases like “Access is Power” are burned into the ears of anyone who has ever waited on hold trying to schedule an appointment through the TRICARE system. Access to care is a profoundly important aspect of healthcare. Veterans’ Access to Care to Improve with New Legislation When healthcare services are not easily accessible, they are… Read more »
Give an Hour is a not for profit online resource that provides anyone who served in the military, their families, and those who considers themselves a “loved one” free consultations with volunteer mental health professionals. There is no time requirement for military service, so anyone who attended Day 1 of boot camp is eligible regardless of discharge status
PREVENTing Suicide September was Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. This September, progress was made in several pieces of legislation addressing suicide prevention. Commander John Scott Hannon Veterans Mental Health Care Improvement Act Veterans COMPACT Act The Brandon Act In an executive summary of the Commander John Scott Hannon Veterans Mental Health Care Improvement Act, a somber… Read more »
VA Partners with OnStar in Suicide Prevention The VA recently announced a new partnership with OnStar emergency services. The goal of the partnership is to improve access to suicide prevention resources for Veterans. Suicide among our Veteran population produces alarming statistics. Over 6,000 Veterans die by suicide each year Suicide rates among Veterans are 1.5… Read more »
More than 78,000 veterans died by suicide between 2005 and 2017, according to the VA. Veteran suicide deaths rose from 5,787 in 2005 to 6,139 in 2017. Within the active military, the National Guard, has the highest rate of any branch, according to the most recent DoD Annual Suicide Report.
Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death in the military. An average of 20 veterans die by suicide each day. Alarmingly, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that the rate of suicide has spiked by 35% since 1999, and it’s still on the rise.
Senators are calling on the House of Representatives to pass the Commander John Scott Hannon Veterans Mental Health Care Improvement Act. This landmark legislation is named to honor the legacy of retired Navy SEAL Commander John Scott Hannon. The bill is focused on efforts to prevent veteran suicides and improve mental health outcomes through improved access to care, better diagnostic tools, and increased oversight of VA programs.