Arguments Against Veteran Suicide

This bill was introduced to “enforce the Secretary of Veteran Affairs to conduct annual evaluations of mental health care and suicide prevention programs of the Department of Veterans Affairs.” In essence, it was proposed because of the high suicide rates that occur with veterans and as a way to help those individuals with increase access to better quality health care and ultimately decrease the statistics of veteran suicide. The bill wants to propose three different acts if passed. First it would like to increase health care by programs, peer community groups, and online resources to help individuals going through mental trauma. Secondly, it wants to start a program to pay the college loans of students in psychiatry in order to easier recruit

them to work at the VA. Finally, it wants to increase the accountability of health institutes by requiring annual evaluations. To be more specific, it’s stated in section 6 that, “Collaboration on suicide prevention efforts between Department of Veterans Affairs and non-profit mental health organizations”. Stating to first, improve collaboration between the Department of Veterans’ Affairs and nonprofit organizations through efforts such as increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of the programs, and helping non-profit organizations with help from experts from the Department of Veterans’ Affairs. Second, exchange of resources through training sessions and practices to help with suicides provided by the Department. Thirdly, to appoint a Director of Suicide Prevention Coordination which would be someone hand picked by the Secretary within the Department to assist in any collaboration with non-profits or any or organizations covered under this bill. Also, it’s stated in Section 4 that it would create a “Pilot program for repayment of educational loans for certain psychiatrists of Veterans Health Administration.” Through this program, students who got a degree in either medicine or osteopathy would be able to repay up to $30,000 of student loans per year of obligated service, with the minimum service period being 2 years. Finally in Section 2, it would require, “Evaluations of mental health care and suicide prevention programs of Department of Veterans Affairs.” Under this, it requires health clinics to provide evaluations to better decide what techniques and be the most efficient, cost-efficient, and provide the most satisfaction which would ultimately be decided by the Secretary and programs conducted at the Center of Excellence. Reports would start on or after October 1, 2018 with annual submissions being submitted by the Secretary to the House and Senate of Veterans’ Affair no later than December 1, 2018.