We should be outraged by these numbers. These are men and women who sacrifice their families, health, and lives for our safety and protection. Something more MUST be done. This petition is a way to call Congress to hold a hearing and vote on H.R. 26.
What is H.R. 26 you might ask?
H.R. 26 Veteran Mental Health and Screening act that asks the Secretary of Defense to require mandatory “face-to-face and confidential mental health and traumatic brain injury screening” for all members of the Armed Forces 90 days after they complete a deployment and continue to offer screening services until 180 days after the deployment (H.R. 26, 2011). The bill proposes that EACH service member submit to a mandatory screening to assess the risk of suicide. It is the hope that the screening will give the service members a chance to be truthful about their feelings and experiences, thus creating a smoother post deployment transition, alleviate some of the embarrassment or false ideas about mental illness especially depression within the armed forces, and lower the suicide rate within the ranks of those returning from Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.
The bill is currently in the House of Representatives but there has been no movement since it was introduced in January 2011. The petition is a call to have Congress hold a hearing and put the bill to a vote.
Signing this petition is a way of showing Congress we will no longer accept that suicide is a normal part of serving in the armed forces. It is DEMANDING that they do more to help those that have put everything on the line for us. It is the least we can do to help those who have already given so much to help us!!
Updates
June 12, 2012
I have spent the last few days drafting formal letters to the members of the House Committee on Veterans Affairs regarding the implementation of H.R. 26. These documents outline the necessity of mandatory screening protocols for all returning service members. I am currently awaiting responses from committee staff to discuss the next steps for a potential hearing.
Reached 100 supporters
June 12, 2012
8 Comments
Its a disgrace that we let our heroes suffer in silence like this. fix it.
THESE NUMBERS ARE HEARTBREAKING. DO SOMETHING NOW!
Why is this not already mandatory???
Lost a good friend to this last year. Way too late for him but maybe it saves the next guy.
My son came home a different person. They need real help not just a pat on the back.
Stop it!
Anything and everything should be available to our Veterans.
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We should be outraged by these numbers. These are men and women who sacrifice their families, health, and lives for our safety and protection. Something more MUST be done. This petition is a way to call Congress to hold a hearing and vote on H.R. 26.
What is H.R. 26 you might ask?
H.R. 26 Veteran Mental Health and Screening act that asks the Secretary of Defense to require mandatory “face-to-face and confidential mental health and traumatic brain injury screening” for all members of the Armed Forces 90 days after they complete a deployment and continue to offer screening services until 180 days after the deployment (H.R. 26, 2011). The bill proposes that EACH service member submit to a mandatory screening to assess the risk of suicide. It is the hope that the screening will give the service members a chance to be truthful about their feelings and experiences, thus creating a smoother post deployment transition, alleviate some of the embarrassment or false ideas about mental illness especially depression within the armed forces, and lower the suicide rate within the ranks of those returning from Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.
The bill is currently in the House of Representatives but there has been no movement since it was introduced in January 2011. The petition is a call to have Congress hold a hearing and put the bill to a vote.
Signing this petition is a way of showing Congress we will no longer accept that suicide is a normal part of serving in the armed forces. It is DEMANDING that they do more to help those that have put everything on the line for us. It is the least we can do to help those who have already given so much to help us!!
Updates
June 12, 2012
I have spent the last few days drafting formal letters to the members of the House Committee on Veterans Affairs regarding the implementation of H.R. 26. These documents outline the necessity of mandatory screening protocols for all returning service members. I am currently awaiting responses from committee staff to discuss the next steps for a potential hearing.
Reached 100 supporters
June 12, 2012
8 Comments
They gave everything for this country. The least we can do is make sure they get the care they earned.
Its a disgrace that we let our heroes suffer in silence like this. fix it.
THESE NUMBERS ARE HEARTBREAKING. DO SOMETHING NOW!
Why is this not already mandatory???
Lost a good friend to this last year. Way too late for him but maybe it saves the next guy.
My son came home a different person. They need real help not just a pat on the back.
Stop it!
Anything and everything should be available to our Veterans.
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Share it with friends to help reach 250 signatures.
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They gave everything for this country. The least we can do is make sure they get the care they earned.