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Victory for Veterans’ Mental Health


The U.S. House of Representatives has unanimously passed a landmark bipartisan bill, S.785, The Commander John Scott Hannon Veterans Mental Health Care Improvement Act. It passed the Senate earlier this year and will now go to President Trump for his signature. This legislation is a great victory for veterans' mental health care. 
 
S. 785 is named to celebrate the legacy of NAMI Montana member and retired Navy SEAL Commander John Scott Hannon, who served for 23 years and fought a courageous battle with post-traumatic stress, traumatic brain injury and bipolar disorder. 
 
When veterans transition out of service into civilian life, they can experience many challenges. And tragically, 17 veterans die by suicide each day. Our nation must do better for those who serve our country. This legislation will: 
  • Provide wrap-around suicide prevention services through veteran-serving community organizations
  • Increase accountability of mental health and suicide prevention programs at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
  • Help rural veterans by expanding VA telehealth care
  • Boost research, including creating a Precision Medicine for Veterans Initiative to identify biomarkers for mental health conditions
 
This bill will help transitioning and former service members access better care—care they deserve and need—and advance research into mental health conditions.
 
CDR Hannon embodied the strength of veterans with mental health conditions, and this bill represents his passion and efforts to improve access to veterans’ mental health care. Please thank your Representative for supporting the passage of this important bill to improve veterans’ access to mental health care. 

Thank your Representative

This campaign has concluded.