Experts to testify on preventing vet suicides

[unhappycamper]

Experts to testify on preventing vet suicides
By Karen Jowers - Staff writer
Posted : Tuesday Dec 11, 2007 17:18:49 EST

The parents of an Army reservist who committed suicide after returning from Iraq will testify before the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee on Wednesday as lawmakers explore the Veterans Affairs Department’s challenges in helping veterans deal with mental health issues.

Mike and Kim Bowman are on the first of six panels of witnesses who were scheduled to testify at the hearing, which will focus on suicide prevention and treatment within the VA health care system.

Two authors of books about post-traumatic stress disorder also will testify, as will veterans’ advocates from Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans, Vietnam Veterans of America, the American Legion and Disabled Veterans of America. After the testimony from other panelists, including officials from the VA’s Veterans Health Administration and inspector general’s office, the authors and veterans service organizations’ representatives will return to share their reflections on that testimony.

According to the committee, the Veterans Health Administration estimates there are about 1,000 suicides per year among veterans receiving care through VHA, and as many as 5,000 suicides per year among all living veterans.

The mental health of returning veterans has long been an issue before members of Congress, as well as for military families. The Joshua Omvig Veterans Suicide Prevention Act was enacted in November, and Congress has passed several pieces of legislation addressing various aspects related to the health of veterans, such as traumatic brain injury.


Rest of article at: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2007/12/military_suicidehearing_071211w/



uhc comment: CBS debunked the 5K number on November 14, 2007 --> http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=259&topic_id=6847