We need national commitment for our veterans’ mental health

I will never forget the day when it happened: a veteran in my district was in danger.

His post-traumatic stress had become so severe that his life and the lives of others were at risk. His family made frantic calls for help. Without the intervention of a friend and fellow veteran — a local letter carrier on his postal route — the day might have ended in tragedy for the soldier and his loved ones. Instead, the veteran in this story is on the road to recovery today, thanks to the help of friends, family and professionals.

{mosads}Veterans Day is supposed to be a day to thank the men and women who put life and limb on the line to defend our country, but when it comes to the mental health issues facing millions of Americans today, our words won’t mean much unless they are reinforced by deeds. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) estimates that the risk of suicide among our veterans is 22 percent higher than for nonveteran adults. Issues of substance abuse, post-traumatic stress and depression, left untreated, are killing our veterans. And shockingly, more of our servicemembers are dying from suicide than on the battlefield.

As Americans, we are united in the commitment to provide the job training, education and health care our veterans have earned. But those earned benefits will be of little use to our veterans if our brave soldiers succumb to depression or addiction first.

At a recent hearing of the Veterans Affairs Committee with VA Secretary David Shulkin, I asked what the VA is doing to improve its services for veterans in crisis. I shared the story of the Connecticut veteran whose family nearly lost him, and expressed my hope that the administration and Congress can work together on a bipartisan basis to ensure that we have well-trained professionals serving our veterans wherever they live in this great country.

The secretary reiterated his pledge that military suicide prevention is his top — and only — clinical priority. And the House Veterans Affairs Committee, which has already passed major reforms of the disability benefits appeals process and GI educational benefits, stands ready to partner with the administration on this mission, for veterans and all Americans.

As we work together to address this challenge, we also must recognize the serious role substance abuse plays in veterans’ mental health, particularly the opioid epidemic ravaging communities in Connecticut and throughout the country.

Last year’s Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act, which required stricter standards for opioid prescriptions for VA providers, was a step in the right direction. It’s clear, however, that we need to do much more if we’re going to eliminate the threat of opioid addiction in America.

That means smarter pain management that recognizes the value of alternatives to opioids.

That also means giving the VA tools to hire and retain the best people possible in key areas like mental health.

And it means changing a culture that discourages our veterans from seeking help when they need it. These brave men and women are used to defending others. They need to know that as Americans, our medical professionals and advocates are here to help them, and they should never fear asking for that help. It is not weakness – it is healing.

Veterans and their families need to be able to count on us to provide the VA with resources to respond in the event of a crisis involving a servicemember or veteran. Not every family is fortunate enough to have a friend ready to step to the fore at the moment their son, daughter, wife, husband, brother or sister needs it.

There are no Democrats or Republicans in a foxhole or a firefight. There should be no Democrats or Republicans when it comes to supporting those who defended this country, either. Let’s put politics aside and work to end veteran suicides.

Esty represents Connecticut’s 5th District. She serves on the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee.