H.R. 6968, The Helping Those Who Serve Act

• This item is from the 110th Congress (2007-2008) and is no longer current. Comments, voting, and wiki editing have been disabled, and the cost/savings estimate has been frozen.

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H.R. 6968 would require the Secretary of Defense to conduct a demonstration project regarding access to mental health services by members of the Armed Forces.

Detailed Summary

Helping Those Who Serve Act - Directs the Secretary of Defense to conduct a demonstration project (project) designed to: (1) increase access of members of the Armed Forces (members) returning from deployment abroad, and their families, to accessible, safe, and confidential mental health counseling; (2) reduce the stigma and career repercussions associated with seeking such services; and (3) make high-quality mental health services more user-friendly to such members and their families.

Requires the Secretary to: (1) establish a Special Working Group to develop guidelines and recommendations to ensure the protection of confidentiality for members participating in the project; (2) establish an advisory group to oversee project implementation; (3) submit project reports to the congressional defense committees; and (4) conduct a study of reasons for attrition among military mental health professionals, and make recommendations to increase the recruitment and retention of such individuals.

Status of the Legislation

Latest Major Action: 9/30/2008: Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.

Points in Favor

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Points Against

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