uscitizen
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Bush Signs Vets' Mental Health Bill
Nov 5, 7:00 PM (ET)
WASHINGTON (AP) - President Bush signed the Joshua Omvig suicide prevention bill on Monday, providing improved screening and treatment for at-risk veterans.
The law is named after a 22-year-old soldier from Grundy Center, Iowa, who committed suicide in December 2005 after he returned from Iraq.
"As a nation, we cannot stand idly by when the needs of our brave soldiers are not being met," said Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, who helped push the measure through the Senate. "We have a responsibility to truly support our troops by ensuring they have the services they need during their time in active service, and after they return home."
The law requires mental health training for Veterans Affairs staff; a suicide prevention counselor at each VA medical facility; and mental-health screening and treatment for veterans who receive VA care. It also supports outreach and education for veterans and their families, peer support counseling and research into suicide prevention.
http://apnews.myway.com/article/20071106/D8SNQU3G2.html
Nov 5, 7:00 PM (ET)
WASHINGTON (AP) - President Bush signed the Joshua Omvig suicide prevention bill on Monday, providing improved screening and treatment for at-risk veterans.
The law is named after a 22-year-old soldier from Grundy Center, Iowa, who committed suicide in December 2005 after he returned from Iraq.
"As a nation, we cannot stand idly by when the needs of our brave soldiers are not being met," said Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, who helped push the measure through the Senate. "We have a responsibility to truly support our troops by ensuring they have the services they need during their time in active service, and after they return home."
The law requires mental health training for Veterans Affairs staff; a suicide prevention counselor at each VA medical facility; and mental-health screening and treatment for veterans who receive VA care. It also supports outreach and education for veterans and their families, peer support counseling and research into suicide prevention.
http://apnews.myway.com/article/20071106/D8SNQU3G2.html