House Passes bill to prevent veteran suicides

LTC Jason Strickland — Wed, 10 Dec 2014 11:10:28 -0500

It's about time!

http://thehill.com/blogs/floor-action/house/226505-house-passes-bill-to-help-prevent-veteran-suicides

House passes bill to help prevent veteran suicides

The House passed legislation by voice vote to help prevent suicides of people who served in the military.

Response by SFC Gary Fox made Dec 10 at 2014 12:26 PM

SFC Gary Fox — Wed, 10 Dec 2014 12:26:49 -0500

I have been diagnosed with PTSD and have found mental health care at VA to be cumbersome and frustrating. It's not unusual at all to have a month or two gap of time between appointments. It seems like you are starting completely over at each appointment.

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 10 at 2014 12:28 PM

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 10 Dec 2014 12:28:20 -0500

Agreed, sir. It's a step in the right direction and one of many pieces we need for a strong suicide prevention program.

Response by CW2 Geoff Lachance made Dec 11 at 2014 4:55 PM

CW2 Geoff Lachance — Thu, 11 Dec 2014 16:55:01 -0500

It should never have taken this long!

Response by MSG Brad Sand made Mar 10 at 2015 4:14 PM

MSG Brad Sand — Tue, 10 Mar 2015 16:14:10 -0400

Well, if they passed a bill, everything should be good! No disrespect intended BUT a third party layer of bureaucratic red tape is not actually any additional help and will probably just add to the problem. I am thinking that I might generate a form to help track the forms they are already filling out...to stream line the process.

The passage of the Bill might help make some law makers feel better about all our hero's taking their own lives but that is all it is really going to do. We never could legislate issues like this. Additionally, just throwing money at it will not help either...and that will be their next 'action'.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tyeJ55o3El0

I'm Just a Bill (Schoolhouse Rock!)

I used to love these... :) Enjoy. I'm just a bill... hahaha

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Mar 10 at 2015 9:13 PM

CPT Jack Durish — Tue, 10 Mar 2015 21:13:53 -0400

"The proof is in the pudding" I'm going to withhold judgment until the numbers are in to see whether this legislation helps reduce the incidence of suicide or merely puts money in the pockets of bureaucrats and political entrepreneurs (those who feed at the trough). No, don't think my skepticism diminishes my hope for a positive outcome. I just don't want to be set up for another disappointment...

Response by Lt Col Robert Canfield made Mar 18 at 2015 12:58 PM

Lt Col Robert Canfield — Wed, 18 Mar 2015 12:58:33 -0400

I don't mean to bust any bubbles or rain on anyone's parade, but this is just another attempt by politicians to make them feel good about themselves and give everyone else the illusion that they are addressing the problem. Need a recent example? Lets look at the VA Choice Card that supposedly you can use to obtain private care, when the VA can't (or won't) provide the services you need. Basically its not worth the cardboard its printed on. Sorry, but there it is.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made May 19 at 2015 4:16 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Tue, 19 May 2015 16:16:31 -0400

To fight an enemy we should know about the enemy. To find the veterans at risk we should know about them. I am curious about the mechanics of this initiative.