Daniel J. Harvey, Jr. and Adam Lambert Improving Servicemember Transition to Reduce Veteran Suicide Act
This bill expands the mental health training that service members receive before leaving the military, covering suicide prevention, substance abuse, and the stress of adjusting to civilian life. It also requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to help newly discharged veterans enroll in VA health care and connect them with counseling services during their first year out of uniform. Within one year, defense and veterans officials must report to Congress on the educational materials developed under these changes.
What this bill touches.
Who it helps · who it burdens.
Who it helps
- Departing servicemembersReceive expanded mental health counseling, suicide risk education, substance abuse treatment resources, and guidance on separation stressors during the transition assistance program (Sec. 2(a)).
- Newly separated veteransReceive assistance enrolling in the VA health care system and educational resources regarding mental health and counseling services through the VA's Solid Start program (Sec. 2(b)).
Who it burdens
- Department of DefenseMust expand transition counseling curricula to cover comprehensive mental health topics and suicide risk factors (Sec. 2(a)), and must jointly prepare and submit a report to Congress within one year (Sec. 2(c)).
- Department of Veterans AffairsMust update the Solid Start program to assist veterans with VA health enrollment and educate them on mental health services (Sec. 2(b)), and must jointly prepare and submit a report to Congress within one year (Sec. 2(c)).
The provisions, in plain language.
Requires the Department of Defense to provide departing servicemembers with expanded mental health information during transition counseling, including suicide risk factors, treatment options for conditions like PTSD and substance abuse, and counseling on the emotional challenges of separating from military service.
Requires the VA's Solid Start program to help newly separated veterans enroll in VA health care and educate them about available mental health and counseling services.
Requires the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs to jointly submit a report to Congress within one year detailing the transition and mental health materials developed under the Act.