WashingtonWatch.com - S. 479, The Joshua Omvig Veterans Suicide Prevention Act

Comment by Just another Veteran (May 6, 2008, 01:00:00)

Tue, 06 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT

I am thinking of doing this...

Comment by You Are Not Just Another Veteran (May 6, 2008, 01:00:00)

Tue, 06 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT

You are a person who people care about - you can't even imagine how many there are. If you need help, go here, find a number, and call. I want you to call. http://suicidehotlines.com/...

Comment by STEPHEN SIMON (November 4, 2007, 01:00:00)

Sun, 04 Nov 2007 00:00:00 EDT

AS A WAY OF INTRODUCTION,KINDLY SEE THE NEW WEBSITE www.veteranssuicideprevention.org...

Comment by R L Wheeler (September 28, 2007, 01:00:00)

Fri, 28 Sep 2007 00:00:00 EDT

I welcome an act from Congress to support and mandate this very important need. As a 20 yr vet, I know a little bit about the scope of the problem and its impact on our veterans and their families. It is now time to commit real resources to giving those who have served and sacrificed a lifeline....

Comment by Mary B, RN, mental health professional (September 11, 2007, 01:00:00)

Tue, 11 Sep 2007 00:00:00 EDT

Are we all aware that Senator Tom Coburn, (R-OK) was the sole hold-out in the senate against this bill? Are all those in Oklahoma protesting loudly and clearly? This one seems to be a no-brainer, doesn't it?? Dr Coburn has some very invalid concerns; please help him understand them!...

Comment by L Gaspar (September 6, 2007, 01:00:00)

Thu, 06 Sep 2007 00:00:00 EDT

I support this. It is common sense to give our young people the support they need. They give us their lives. It is the least we can do. I can't figure out why we need to get an act passed to do the right thing....

Revision by webmaster (July 24, 2007, 01:00:00)

Tue, 24 Jul 2007 00:00:00 EDT

S. 479 would reduce the incidence of suicide among veterans.

Detailed Summary

Joshua Omvig Veterans Suicide Prevention Act - Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) suicide among veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a serious problem; and (2) the Secretary of Veterans Affairs should take into consideration the special needs of veterans suffering from PTSD in developing and implementing the program required under this Act.

Directs the Secretary to develop and implement a comprehensive program for reducing the incidence of suicide among veterans.

Requires the program to include: (1) a national mental health campaign to increase mental health awareness in the veteran community; (2) mandatory training on suicide and suicide prevention for appropriate Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) employees and contractor personnel; (3) family education and peer support counseling; (4) veterans' health assessments, counseling, and treatment programs; (5) suicide prevention counselors; (6) research on suicide prevention; (7) treatment programs for veterans suffering from substance abuse; (8) 24-hour veterans' mental health care availability; and (9) a toll-free hotline.

Status of the Legislation

Latest Major Action: 7/23/2007: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 279.

Points in Favor

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Points Against

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Status as of July 23, 2007

Mon, 23 Jul 2007 00:00:00 EDT

7/23/2007: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 279.

Revision by webmaster (June 28, 2007, 01:00:00)

Thu, 28 Jun 2007 00:00:00 EDT

S. 479 would reduce the incidence of suicide among veterans.

Detailed Summary

Directs the Secretary to develop and implement a comprehensive program for reducing the incidence of suicide among veterans.

Status of the Legislation

Latest Major Action: 4/25/2007: Senate committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held.

Points in Favor

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Points Against

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Revision by webmaster (June 28, 2007, 01:00:00)

Thu, 28 Jun 2007 00:00:00 EDT

S. 479 would reduce the incidence of suicide among veterans.

Detailed Summary

Directs the Secretary to develop and implement a comprehensive program for reducing the incidence of suicide among veterans.

Status of the Legislation

Latest Major Action: 6/27/2007: Senate committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.

Points in Favor

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Points Against

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Status as of June 27, 2007

Wed, 27 Jun 2007 00:00:00 EDT

6/27/2007: Senate committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.

Comment by Deborah Davitt (May 9, 2007, 01:00:00)

Wed, 09 May 2007 00:00:00 EDT

I not only support this bill, but also gave my congressman permission to use my statement to the VA regarding my husband's suicide in 1983 and the supporting evidence that the VA his records from him and his doctors. He was a Vietnam Vet, USMC, in country '68. Iam so relieved to see this "taboo" topic out in the open because in the past, the shame factor has been the trump card played against these brave people who served our country....

Comment by katie (May 8, 2007, 01:00:00)

Tue, 08 May 2007 00:00:00 EDT

this bill is so important to people, because it is in the right direction of supporting our veterans. I also agree that care should be given to all veterans within local communities. Our vets should definetly NOT have to go through the tragic things that get in their way. I think that without our veterans we would not have a free country and they should get all the problemless support they can get....

Status as of April 25, 2007

Wed, 25 Apr 2007 00:00:00 EDT

4/25/2007: Senate committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held.

Comment by cindy (April 4, 2007, 01:00:00)

Wed, 04 Apr 2007 00:00:00 EDT

Emotional and mental 'wounds' are every bit as real, and can be more life-threatening than the physical. This bill is a step in the right direction of supporting our veterans. And I agree that the care should be within local communities. Our vets should NOT have to go through beaurocratic hoops to get help....

Comment by Leslie (March 30, 2007, 01:00:00)

Fri, 30 Mar 2007 00:00:00 EDT

This bill is so important, even to people who do not realize it. It's hard to look up an old friend, who had a zest for life, and find out that he committed suicide due to PTSD. It happened to me, and I can only imagine what his mother and family members are going through, because it left me devastated. Help the men and women that are returning home with this terrible disorder. "Not all wounds are visible."...

Comment by N H Conner (March 22, 2007, 01:00:00)

Thu, 22 Mar 2007 00:00:00 EDT

The bill is critical for families of service men & women.Everyone suffers, I am raising a child with problems because of the impact her fathers suicide had on her. Years of trying to cope with her personal demons because of his death....

Comment by Linda Kemp (March 17, 2007, 01:00:00)

Sat, 17 Mar 2007 00:00:00 EDT

This bill is very important if we are to open our eyes to the invisible affects of war on the brave soldiers who have volunteered to leave home and family because they felt it was honorable and right to do so. No matter how we became involved in this endeavor we must see the life long affects it has rendered for so many men, women, and families. All of the wounded, whether physically or mentally, must be cared for with all of our resources. Do the right thing and vote yes for the Joshua Omvig Suicide Prevention Act....

Comment by Laurie R Maitland (March 16, 2007, 01:00:00)

Fri, 16 Mar 2007 00:00:00 EDT

Please support the Joshua Omvig Veterans Suicide Prevention Act. It will never be an accurate count of love one lost due to PTSD because so many cases have gone unmentioned. My father committed suicide in 1985 due to PTSD after serving in Vietnam....

Comment by martha moore (March 16, 2007, 01:00:00)

Fri, 16 Mar 2007 00:00:00 EDT

I support the Joshua Omvig Veterans Suicide Prevention Bill; my thoughts and prayers go out to his family along with all families whom have loss a love one threw suicide. I too lost my son Doug in Jan, 2006 to this tragic event and must say that each day without him is a day of many tears. I would like to see this bill pass because our men and women whom has fought for our country deserve to have the very best from our government anything less is a slap on the wrist to them. They need our love and support all the way....

Comment by B. Moles (March 16, 2007, 01:00:00)

Fri, 16 Mar 2007 00:00:00 EDT

If passing the Josh Omvig bill saves one young soldier, it should be passed....

Comment by Robin Chase (March 16, 2007, 01:00:00)

Fri, 16 Mar 2007 00:00:00 EDT

I am the mother of two OIF solders, both with PTSD. A son going to war is hard. I am lucky that they both returned to me. The thought of losing them now to PTSD is a nightmare. This bill must be passed!...

Comment by Myles Glasgow (March 16, 2007, 01:00:00)

Fri, 16 Mar 2007 00:00:00 EDT

A Congress of representatives of 300,000,000 Americans who in 2002 can vote over 95% in favor of approving unlimited force and a blank check, (drawn involuntarily on the wallets of all federal tax payers and their families and their children's children), against 19,000,000 people from very divided populations in Iraq, (though told by UN inspectors and others before hand that the alleged "Bush league intelligence" they were buying was wrong, should at least tax those top 100 war profiteers like Halliburton and the oil companies (who for four years have been making extraordinary profits from war contracts and the increase in gasoline costs paid by the taxpayers whose children are being billed to pay for this stupid adventurism) the very best medical care Isn't that the least this Congress can do? Don't you think so? Myles Glasgow...

Comment by Tina (March 16, 2007, 01:00:00)

Fri, 16 Mar 2007 00:00:00 EDT

As a mother raising a child with no father due to PTSD related suicide, I can relate with the pain the families will never recover from. We must do everything humanly possible to protect our service men and women from this tragedy. I fully support this bill and hope all others will do the same....

Comment by Brenda Thorne (March 16, 2007, 01:00:00)

Fri, 16 Mar 2007 00:00:00 EDT

I demand that our Congress fully support the Joshua Omvig Veterans Suicide Prevention Act. How can we send our children off to war and not be there for them when they return? PTSD care and VA outreach needs to be located in the community where it can be available to the returning Guards and Reservists!...