Congressman Sander Levin

Veterans Mental Health Care

We must fully equip the Veterans Administration with the resources to provide adequate mental healthcare to our nation’s veterans, especially in light of the challenges that Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Traumatic Brain Injury pose to our veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. More than 40% of our veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan are entering the VA health system and of these veterans 41% are seeking mental health care.

Congress passed the Veterans Mental Health Care Act (S. 2162) which expands mental health services for veterans, increases research through the National Center for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, and provides much needed counseling for families of veterans. The legislation, which was signed into law last October, also mandates a program to help rural veterans get the health care they need closer to home.

I was an original cosponsor of the Joshua Omvig Veterans Suicide Prevention Act (H.R. 327), which was also signed into law. This legislation directed the VA to develop a comprehensive program designed to reduce the incidence of suicide among veterans. The 24-hour toll-free hotline set up by the legislation has already served more than 30,000 veterans, family members, and friends.

In addition, recent appropriation legislation requires the VA to spend at least $3.8 billion for specialty mental health care with an increased focus on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Traumatic Brain Injury.