Largest Suicide Prevention Organization Celebrates the Passage of the Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for American Veterans (SAV) Act

News provided by

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

Feb 03, 2015, 01:32 ET

WASHINGTON, Feb. 3, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Vice President of Public Policy at the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), John Madigan, releases this statement:

"With veterans accounting for one out of every five suicides in our country, passage of the Clay Hunt Act is a major victory not just for veterans but for the larger fight against suicide. AFSP has set the bold goal of reducing the annual suicide rate 20% by 2025, and it's legislation like the Clay Hunt Act that will make it happen.

Veterans and Suicide - Source: The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

We would like to thank Representatives Jeff Miller (R-FL), Chairman of the House Veterans Affairs Committee for his introduction of H.R. 203 in the House, Corrine Brown (D-FL) ranking member of the Veterans Affairs Committee, Tim Waltz (D-MN), and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL).

We would also like to thank Senator Johnny Isakson (R-GA) for his leadership as Chair of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, along with Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) ranking member on the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, Senators John McCain (R-AZ), and Richard Durbin (D-IL), one of the original cosponsors."

When fully implemented, the Clay Hunt Act will:

Increase access to mental health care by creating a peer support and community outreach pilot program to assist transitioning service members as well as a one-stop, interactive website of available resources.
Help meet the demand for mental health care providers by starting a pilot program which will repay student loan debt incurred by physicians who choose to practice psychiatric medicine in the VA or those enrolled in their final year of a psychiatry residency program.
Boost the accountability of mental health care by requiring annual evaluations of the suicide-prevention practices and programs of the Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs.

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention leads the fight against suicide. We fund research, create educational programs, advocate for public policy, and support those affected by suicide. Led by CEO Robert Gebbia and headquartered in New York, AFSP has 75 local chapters with programs and events nationwide. Review our Annual Report to learn more about AFSP's life-saving work, and join the national conversation on suicide prevention by following AFSP on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.