HR0397 LRB095 12072 DRJ 35857 r

1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2     WHEREAS, Suicide among veterans suffering from
3 post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a serious problem; and
 
4     WHEREAS, Veterans suffering from PTSD have special needs
5 and should have available a comprehensive program for reducing
6 the incidence of suicide among their number; and
 
7     WHEREAS, The elements of such a comprehensive program
8 should include the following: destigmatizing mental illness;
9 training of employees of the U.S. Department of Veterans
10 Affairs and other personnel who interact with veterans; family
11 education and outreach; peer support; health assessments;
12 counseling and treatment; designation of suicide prevention
13 counselors; research on best practices; substance abuse
14 treatment; 24-hour mental health care; and a telephone hotline
15 for obtaining information and referrals; and
 
16     WHEREAS, H.R. 327 and S. 479, currently before Congress,
17 provide for such a comprehensive program for reducing the
18 incidence of suicide among veterans and require the U.S.
19 Secretary of Veterans Affairs to submit to Congress a report on
20 the programs and activities of the Department of Veterans
21 Affairs to reduce the incidence of suicide among veterans; and
 

 

 

HR0397 - 2 - LRB095 12072 DRJ 35857 r

1     WHEREAS, Congress should pass H.R. 327 and S. 479 so that
2 veterans who have sacrificed much for our country can obtain
3 the health care that they need; therefore, be it
 
4     RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
5 NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we
6 urge Congress to pass H.R. 327 and S. 479 in relation to
7 veterans suicide prevention; and be it further
 
8     RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be sent
9 to the Majority Leader and the Minority Leader of the United
10 States Senate, the Speaker and the Minority Leader of the
11 United States House of Representatives, and each member of the
12 Illinois Congressional delegation.