Commentary: WASHINGTON – Today, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) Conference released final legislation that included a provision introduced by Representative Beto O’Rourke (TX-16) requiring mental health screening before transition for all military personnel.
“More than 20 veterans a day are taking their own lives after bravely putting those same lives on the line for our country. Their deaths are an epidemic that we must – and can – stop,” said Congressman O’Rourke. “Doing so first requires breaking down the stigma that surrounds mental health and PTSD. We know that too many of our service members don’t seek voluntary evaluations or worry that doing so will make them appear less heroic. Our addition makes these evaluations routine, and familiarizes service members with the topic of mental health before they separate.”
Service members scheduled to be separated from active duty are required to undergo a physical examination immediately before transitioning to civilian life. However, there is currently no requirement that they be examined by a mental health professional. This leaves a massive, and too often lethal, gap in how we evaluate the health and wellbeing of our veterans.
In June, Rep. O’Rourke authored and offered an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that would close this gap. The change would ultimately require a mental health assessment before transitioning out of the military.
“Given what these veterans have laid down for this country, what they have done for the United States, making us stronger and better, serving at less than 1% since 9/11 so that so many others do not have to serve, the least we can do is to make sure that they have access to the care that they have earned,” concluded Rep. O’Rourke.
Today’s news comes only days after two substantial pieces of legislation aimed at supporting our veterans passed the House of Representatives following months of leadership by Congressman O’Rourke on the Veterans Affairs Committee and in the full House. The VALOR Act (H.R. 3949) and the Veteran Urgent Access to Mental Healthcare Act (H.R. 918) both passed with bipartisan support.
The full House and Senate will vote on the final NDAA text this year.