Bush signs bill boosting suicide screening

Bush signs bill boosting suicide screening
The Associated Press
Posted : Tuesday Nov 6, 2007 6:10:20 EST

President Bush signed the Joshua Omvig suicide prevention bill on Monday, providing improved screening and treatment for at-risk veterans.

The law is named after a 22-year-old soldier from Grundy Center, Iowa, who committed suicide in December 2005 after he returned from Iraq.

“As a nation, we cannot stand idly by when the needs of our brave soldiers are not being met,” said Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, who helped push the measure through the Senate. “We have a responsibility to truly support our troops by ensuring they have the services they need during their time in active service, and after they return home.”

The law requires mental health training for Veterans Affairs Department staff; a suicide prevention counselor at each VA medical facility; and mental-health screening and treatment for veterans who receive VA care. It also supports outreach and education for veterans and their families, peer support counseling and research into suicide prevention.

The new law comes amid growing concerns over mental health issues borne by veterans who have seen combat in Iraq and Afghanistan. The VA Inspector General, in a report last May, said Veterans Health Administration officials estimate there are 1,000 suicides per year among veterans receiving care within VHA and as many as 5,000 per year among all living veterans.

Rep. Leonard Boswell, D-Iowa, who sponsored the bill, commended Omvig’s parents for their sacrifice and support of the new law.


Rest of article at: http://www.navytimes.com/news/2007/11/ap_veteranssuicide_071106/



uhc comment: The VA estimates that 5,000 veterans a year commit suicide --> http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=259&topic_id=4615

My husband's family is from Grundy Center. We own farm property there.

We have local friends who stay in close touch with the Omvigs. Their 22 year old son also committed suicide when he came home from Iraq. They have worked with the Omvigs on getting better care for returning vets.

I just e-mailed this article to my son. He was close friends with the local vet who committed suicide, and he works with a suicide prevention group, in memory of his friend.

I wish we had fought in the streets to prevent * from taking office. This generation will suffer from the wounds of this war forever.