Suicide Prevention For Veterans Act Passed

With veteran suicide rates climbing to almost two dozen per day overall 8,000 per year, legislators recently passed the Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for American Veterans Act to assist those with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Clay Hunt, the Marine veteran who the bill was named for, tragically took his own life in 2011 after battling with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder for years.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD, is a disorder that commonly occurs in victims of natural disaster, assault, rape or veterans. In many cases, victims will re-experience their trauma through flashbacks or nightmares. Other symptoms include avoidance of things that could trigger a flashback, heightened anxiety/awareness and emotional numbness.

The Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for American Veterans Act will set aside funding to improve mental health care and suicide prevention resources to service members. Third party evaluation will be needed for each suicide prevention program to decide if it needs improvements, to be consolidated or eliminated. Along with funding and evaluating programs, the bill also will create a community outreach program for veterans who are transitioning back from active duty.

Often for most survivors the hardest part of any anxiety disorder is just talking about it. Many times people will think if they ask for help they will be perceived as weak, so they suffer in silence instead. On MSNBC there is a video posted of President Obama and experts talking about this act and why it is so important. They mention why survivors should get help and where to start.

Once the conversation about PTSD is started, hopefully it will become easier for veterans to gain access to the resources they need.

#mentalhealth #suicideprevention #anxietydisorders