H.R. 5223 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: 2/11/2008: 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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Visitor Comments
Reality
So we send them off to die in combat instead?
Meyer Moldeven
I am a retired US Civil Service employee (1941-1974) (USAF Log Command), senior civilian in the IG, major base in California, base also a pipeline for military to/from Viet Nam. One of my IG jobs (complaints investigator, Congressionals). I joined the Sacramento suicide prevention service as a volunteer 'hotline' worker and handled many calls from active/retired military their families. Post-retirement I became a 'suicide prevention' advocate, hassled Members of Congress, the Executive and DoD, including SecDef. Eventually, wrote, kept updating, and widely posting my memoir 'Military-Civilian Teamwork in Suicide Prevention,' hoping that, in time, initiatives at the Federal level would follow. The last comprehensive update at:
http://scribe1917x.livejournal.com/
I am deeply gratified that Congress is considering the proposed bills on suicide prevention and, almost equally important, to de-stigmatize mental illness. Both are way past due.
Meyer Moldeven
The link in my previous posting no longer works.
This one does, and is relevant:
http://scribe1917x.livejournal.com/7584.html