WASHINGTON – The number is startling. Disheartening. Horrible. Sad.
There were 6,392 veteran suicides in 2021, according to the most recent data from the Department of Veterans Affairs. Most veterans who committed suicide were not receiving any form of care at the VA.
VA studies suggest that strides can be made toward prevention with greater community-based intervention and coalition-building and by increasing awareness of and access to mental health services, among other things.
To that end, U.S. Rep. Dale Strong joined Reps. Lou Correa (D-Calif.), Maria Elvira Salazar (R-Fla.), and Glenn Ivey (D-Md.) in the bipartisan “Supporting Every at-Risk Veteran In Critical Emergencies (SERVICE) Act.” They were joined by 13 other members of Congress as original cosponsors of the bill.
“Supporting our veterans after they return home is crucial,” said Strong (R-Harvest). “This legislation will ensure that law enforcement agencies around the country are better equipped to assist veterans suffering from issues such as mental health crises and connect them with appropriate community or VA services.
‘We owe our servicemembers a debt that cannot be repaid, and it is my honor to introduce this legislation to work towards providing our veterans with the best treatment possible.”
The SERVICE Act would establish a program to allow local law enforcement agencies to use the Department of Justice’s Office of Community Oriented Policing Services grants to establish dedicated “Veterans Response Teams” within departments to respond to emergency calls involving veterans in crisis.
A Veterans Response Team includes law enforcement officers with a background in military service. Members would be available 24/7 to respond to instances of a veteran in crisis, this may include mental health or substance abuse situations.
Following an initial response, team members would assist in connecting the individual with community and Veterans Affairs resources.
The legislation has been endorsed by the American Legion, Hope for the Warriors, and Vietnam Veterans of America.
Approximately 25% of law enforcement officers have a background in military service. Establishing Veterans Response Teams affords an opportunity for positive engagement for veterans both within their departments and within their broader communities – which could assist in the transition between military and civilian life and improve recruitment and retention efforts within law enforcement.
According to Strong’s office, the SERVICE Act aims to take steps toward assisting veterans in crisis by allowing DOJ COPS grants to be used to:
- Train and educate law enforcement officers on mental health issues related to military service.
- Outfit law enforcement officers with insignia that indicate their branch of service.
- Provide overtime pay for law enforcement officers who participate in a Veterans Response Team.
- Grow awareness of the program within their communities and promote VA resources.
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