Washington, D.C.- A bill aimed at reducing the suicide rate among military veterans is seemingly headed to the president’s desk.
Senate is expected to pick up the bill on the floor Monday, which passed in the House on Jan. 7, 2015.
Courtesy: Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America
The Clay Hunt SAV Act is named after the 23-year-old veteran with PTSD who killed himself in March 2011, according to the “Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America” organization.
The legislation requires the Pentagon and the Veterans Affairs Department to supply independent reviews of their suicide prevention programs, and would generate a website to provide information on mental health services available to veterans. It also offers financial incentives to psychiatrists who agree to work for VA in assisting veterans transitioning from active duty.
The goal is to reduce the veteran suicide rate which is more than double the rate of the civilian population.
-Meghan Puryear
