WashingtonWatch.com - S. 2585, The Armed Forces Suicide Prevention Act of 2008

Comment by Meyer Moldeven (May 2, 2008, 01:00:00)

Fri, 02 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT

Re nation-wide shortages in relevant skills and disciplines. (PBS News Hour, May 1, 2008) Implementing PubLaw will require more trained staff. We had such shortages during Viet Nam. The suicide prevention center I served at was almost all 'volunteers.' We got several weeks training and tested (including intensive role-playing) + critiques by psychologist before permitted to work on the 'hotline'. I suggest DOD/VA consider comparable technician/professional-levels staff for future national contingencies. Also, that the 'National Health Service Corps Program' and the National Service 'Retired and Senior Volunteer Program' be linked for training as a committed resource and make them part of the team now. The P.L. or implementing documentation sould mandate interdepartmental coordination and collaboration, and give guidance on support, even an authorizing 'Table of Organization and Equipment (TO&E) or present counterpart....

Comment by Meyer Moldeven (April 27, 2008, 01:00:00)

Sun, 27 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EDT

This happens in the Armed Forces too: Reference: The New York Times article, 4.22.08 'Talking Veterans Down From Despair' by Patricia Cohen at: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/22/us/22suicide.html?partner=rssnyt&emc=rss The language that mandates the 'hotline' states: '(h) HOTLINE.—In carrying out the comprehensive program, the Secretary may provide for a toll-free hotline for veterans to be staffed by appropriately trained mental health personnel and available at all times.' See: http://scribe1917x.livejournal.com/7089.html...

Comment by Meyer Moldeven (April 7, 2008, 01:00:00)

Mon, 07 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EDT

I am retired USCS employee (1941-1974) (USAF Log Com), senior civilian in the IG, McLellan AFB CA, base also pipeline for military to/from Viet Nam. One of my IG jobs (complaints officer, Congressionals). I joined the Sacramento suicide prevention service as a volunteer 'hotline' worker and handled calls from active/retired military & their families. Post-retirement I became a 'suicide prevention' advocate, wrote to Members of Congress, the Executive, and the DoD, including SecDef. Eventually, I wrote, and often updated memoirs 'Military-Civilian Teamwork in Suicide Prevention' and posted them (or a link) hoping that initiatives at the Federal level would follow. The last comprehensive update is at: http://scribe1917x.livejournal.com/ I am deeply gratified that the House and Senate are considering the proposed bills on suicide prevention and, almost equally important, de-stigmatizing mental illness. Both are way past due....

Revision by webmaster (April 4, 2008, 01:00:00)

Fri, 04 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EDT

S. 2585 would provide for the enhancement of the suicide prevention programs of the Department of Defense.

Detailed Summary

Armed Forces Suicide Prevention Act of 2008 - Directs the Secretary of Defense to undertake specified actions to enhance the suicide prevention programs of the Department of Defense (DOD), including: (1) suicide prevention training for all members of the Armed Forces and DOD civilian health care community and family support professionals; and (2) a suicide prevention outreach program throughout the Armed Forces and military family communities.

Directs the Secretary to provide readjustment assistance to spouses and parents of members returning from deployments, including information on: (1) ways to identify signs and symptoms of risk factors for suicide; and (2) the national suicide prevention hotline and other suicide prevention resources.

Authorizes the Secretary to award grants and enter into cooperative agreements to identify and implement within DOD strategies for: (1) the recruitment and retention of qualified military behavioral health professionals to provide mental health services, and substance abuse disorder prevention and treatment services, to members; and (2) reducing the stigma associated with seeking mental health treatment.

Status of the Legislation

Latest Major Action: 1/31/2008: Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.

Points in Favor

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Points Against

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Revision by webmaster (March 14, 2008, 01:00:00)

Fri, 14 Mar 2008 00:00:00 EDT

S. 2585 would provide for the enhancement of the suicide prevention programs of the Department of Defense.

Detailed Summary

(Log in to edit the wiki and be the first to provide a detailed summary of the bill!)

Status of the Legislation

(Log in to edit the wiki and be the first to update the status of the bill!)

Points in Favor

(Log in to edit the wiki and be the first to show why the bill should pass!)

Points Against

(Log in to edit the wiki and be the first to show why the bill should not pass!)

Revision by webmaster (March 14, 2008, 01:00:00)

Fri, 14 Mar 2008 00:00:00 EDT

S. 2585 would provide for the enhancement of the suicide prevention programs of the Department of Defense.

Detailed Summary

(Log in to edit the wiki and be the first to provide a detailed summary of the bill!)

Status of the Legislation

Latest Major Action: 1/31/2008: Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.

Points in Favor

(Log in to edit the wiki and be the first to show why the bill should pass!)

Points Against

(Log in to edit the wiki and be the first to show why the bill should not pass!)

Status as of January 31, 2008

Thu, 31 Jan 2008 00:00:00 EST

1/31/2008: Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.