Blumenthal & Colleagues Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Support Veterans' Mental Health
Legislation named in honor of two Marines, Lance Cpl. Daniel J. Harvey, Jr., and Cpl. Adam Lambert, who died by suicide
[HARTFORD, CT] – Yesterday, U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Ranking Member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, joined U.S. Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Joni Ernst (R-IA) in introducing bipartisan legislation to better support the mental health needs of veterans and servicemembers as they return home.
“Veterans who have sacrificed so much deserve the highest quality care our country has to offer. Unfortunately, the rate of veterans suicide is both shocking and shameful. I’m proud to support this bipartisan effort, and I’ll continue to fight to reduce this grim number by bolstering the resources veterans desperately need and pushing back on the reckless firings of indispensable VA staff,” said Blumenthal.
The Daniel J. Harvey Jr. and Adam Lambert Improving Servicemember Transition to Reduce Veteran Suicide Act would improve the Department of Defense’s Transition Assistance Program (TAP) and the Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) Solid Start program by providing increased mental health support for transitioning servicemembers and veterans. The bill was named in memory of two Marines who lost their lives to suicide: Lance Cpl. Daniel J. Harvey, Jr., and Cpl. Adam Lambert.
This bill would reduce veteran suicide by requiring TAP to provide information to separating servicemembers about the mental health challenges they might face while transitioning to civilian life. It would also require VA’s Solid Start program to inform veterans about VA benefits and mental health services available to them at their local VA medical facility.
“The Veterans of Foreign Wars proudly supports the Daniel J. Harvey Jr. and Adam Lambert Improving Servicemember Transition to Reduce Veteran Suicide Act. Named in honor of two Marines who served together in Afghanistan and tragically died by suicide after returning home, this legislation is a solemn reminder of what is at stake,” said Joy Craig, Associate Director, VFW National Legislative Services. “Transitioning from military to civilian life can be one of the most vulnerable times in a veteran’s life. This bill gives servicemembers the mental health tools they need, early, clearly, and compassionately, to navigate that difficult transition and resolve service-related challenges before they become crises. No veteran should face that kind of struggle without knowing where to turn for help. The VFW urges swift passage of this commonsense, life-saving legislation.”
“Veterans face a 35% higher rate of suicide in their first 12 months following separation from the Armed Forces, and this transition period provides a critical opportunity to expand access to mental health supports,” said Laurel Stine, J.D., M.A., Executive Vice President and Chief Policy and Advocacy Officer at the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. “We commend Senators Sheldon Whitehouse and Joni Ernst, as well as Representatives Zach Nunn and Seth Magaziner, for introducing legislation to prevent suicide and support Veterans during their transition to civilian life by providing information about mental health and connecting them to mental health services.”
The Daniel J. Harvey Jr. and Adam Lambert Improving Servicemember Transition to Reduce Veteran Suicide Act was also endorsed by the American Legion. U.S. Senators Angus King (I-ME), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), and Tim Kaine (D-VA) also cosponsored the legislation.
Earlier this year, Blumenthal introduced comprehensive legislation to strengthen and expand veterans’ access to mental health care at the VA. Blumenthal’s Building Resources and Access for Veterans’ Mental Health Engagement (BRAVE) Act would strengthen VA’s mental health workforce, infrastructure, and services, including renewing the Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program—a first-of-its-kind grant providing funding for local organizations combatting veteran suicide.
In Connecticut, 34 veterans lost their lives to suicide in 2021, according to the VA.
The full text of the legislation is available here.
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