Bill allows for increased access of mental health services to veterans and soldiers
SB 785 passed this week in the Senate. The S.785 - Commander John Scott Hannon Veterans Mental Health Care Improvement Act of 2019 bill includes programs for post-traumatic growth, access to alternative therapies, as well as a grant of up $750K going to state and local organizations that provide suicide prevention services to veterans and their families. The bill passed during the month of September, which also happens to be National Suicide Awareness Month.
Executive Director of Mission Roll Call, Garrett Cathcart, said, “We have seen too many of my fellow veterans die by suicide for far too long. More and more money given to the VA didn’t seem to stop the rising veterans suicide rate in America. I’m hopeful that the passage of this legislation today exponentially increases mental health services to veterans all across this great country. It’s time to serve those who served us.”
US Rep. Michael Waltz partnered with Mission Roll Call to stress the importance of passing SB 785 and expanding veteran access to mental health services, including delivering remarks to the U.S. Congress on the importance of helping veterans especially during the pandemic. Together, Rep. Waltz and Executive Director of Mission Roll Call, Garrett Cathcart, launched the “My Frontline to Yours” campaign to bring awareness to the mental health needs of healthcare workers on the frontlines of the pandemic and veterans who are also facing increased isolation.
Mission Roll Call continues to work with veterans by amplifying their voices and teaching communities how to reach out to veterans to help them in their new lives at home. They continue to interact with the veteran community to, in turn, do what they can to help each other grow and be great leaders in society.
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