Washington, DC – With Honor Action has endorsed the Daniel J. Harvey, Jr. and Adam Lambert Improving Servicemember Transition to Reduce Veteran Suicide Act, led by For Country Caucus members Rep. Zach Nunn, Rep. Marianette Miller-Meeks, and Rep. Don Davis, as well as Rep. Jen Kiggans and Rep. Seth Magaziner and Senator Sherrod Brown. There is a mental health crisis gripping the nation, and no one is more affected by this than our veterans. According to The Washington Post, 50,000 veterans used free emergency suicide prevention care in 2023.
According to the VA’s Annual Suicide Prevention report, veteran suicide rates are at their highest within the first twelve months a servicemember separates from the military. This bill would establish a program to counsel servicemembers on challenges they might face during their transition to civilian life and support them through challenges that may affect their mental health. It would also ensure that servicemembers are aware of the resources and services available to them at their local Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) facility.
“We need to do better as a country at taking care of our veterans,” said Rye Barcott, Co-Founder and CEO of With Honor Action. “These brave men and women spent years protecting us, and now we must make sure they are protected from the invisible wounds of war. We urge Congress to pass this bipartisan legislation as soon as possible.”
This bill is dedicated to Daniel J. Harvey, Jr. and Adam Lambert, two brave Marines who served together in Afghanistan, but tragically lost their lives to suicide less than a year after leaving the military. Companion legislation has been introduced in the Senate by Senator Sherrod Brown.
Previously, With Honor Action has supported legislation that improves mental health resources for our servicemembers and veterans, including the Brandon Act, which made it easier for servicemembers to seek mental health resources confidentially, and the establishment of 9-8-8 as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.
###
With Honor Action fights polarization in Congress by supporting principled veterans across party lines who pledge to serve with integrity, civility, and courage. With Honor Action works alongside the bipartisan For Country Caucus in Congress to pass critical legislation for our nation. Learn more about our work at WithHonor.org
With Honor Action is a 501(c)(4), which serves as the organization’s policy and social-welfare arm.
With Honor has an affiliated federally registered “super PAC” called With Honor Fund II.