Washington, DC – The U.S. Senate today passed Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet’s amendment to conduct a study of the effects of combat service on suicide rates and other mental health issues among members of the Armed Forces and veterans. The amendment requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to work with the Department of Defense to commission a study with an independent third party. It passed as part of the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2016.
“We simply don’t know enough about the effects of combat on mental health issues among servicemembers and veterans both during and after service,” Bennet said. “This study will work to fill that critical gap in knowledge and data. In order to strengthen efforts to prevent suicide and to provide servicemembers and veterans the mental health care and support services they need, our medical, military, and veterans communities need more research.”
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