Ready Access to Mental Health Care & Suicide Prevention

The Issue

National Guard and Reserve servicemembers continue to suffer unacceptable levels of suicide and reducing suicide rates and improving mental health care across the Total Force is necessary. However, Reserve Component mental health issues must be acknowledged and addressed differently because those servicemembers do not always have ready access to timely, quality mental health services and/or programs tailored to Reserve Component operational needs.

Recommendation

• Provide funding for mental health programs specifically tailored to the Reserve Component within defense appropriations legislation, including the National Guard Preventative Mental Health Program

Point of Contact

Julian Plamann
Legislative Affairs Manager, Joint & Personnel