Pass the Servicemembers Mental Health Improvement Act
Recommendation
Congress should pass the Servicemembers Mental Health Improvement Act as stand alone legislation or part of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which would establish a mental health task force within the Department of Defense (DoD), including DoD and non-DoD mental health experts, to examine mental health matters across the department and provide recommendations to improve mental health services in the Armed Forces. [1][2]
Background/summary
Over 456,000 active military members from 2016 to 2020 were diagnosed with at least one mental health/substance use disorder (MH/SUD).[3] In 2020, over 5.2 million Veterans experienced a MH/SUD.[4] These numbers likely underestimate the number of military personnel with a MH/SUD, as it is estimated that 60 percent do not seek treatment[3][5], with stigma an important abarrier to mental health care for military personnel.[6] Individuals often fear they may be perceived as weak or could losie their job.[6] Other barriers include the lack of awareness of potential treatment options and an inability to take time off. [6] Congress and the Department of Defense (DoD) must take action to improve mental health services for military personnel. [1][2]
citations
1. Service Members Mental Health Improvement Act. H.R. 3011 (Kilmer-Wittman), 118th Congress (2023-2024). Last Accessed April 2023
2. Rep. Kilmer, U.S. House of Representatives. Kilmer, Bipartisan Group Of Lawmakers Lead Effort To Tackle Mental Health Issues Across U.S. Military. Congressman Derek Kilmer. Last Accessed April 28, 2023.
3. U.S. Department of Defense, Military Health System, Armed Forces Health Surveillance Division. Update: Mental Health Disorders and Mental Health Problems, Active Component, U.S. Armed Forces, 2016–2020. Last Accessed August 1, 2021.
4. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Supporting the Behavioral Health Needs of Our Nation’s Veterans. Last Accessed November 8, 2022.
5. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, National Library of Medicine. Stigma as a barrier to seeking health care among military personnel with mental health problems. Last Accessed January 16, 2015.
6. U.S. Department of Defense, Military Health System, Armed Forces Health Surveillance Division. Barriers to Care. Last Accessed April 1, 2021.