79–006 

115TH CONGRESS REPORT " ! HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 2d Session 115–687 

TO DIRECT THE SECRETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS TO INCREASE THE 

NUMBER OF PEER-TO-PEER COUNSELORS PROVIDING COUNSELING FOR 

WOMEN VETERANS, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 

MAY 18, 2018.—Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of 

the Union and ordered to be printed 

Mr. ROE of Tennessee, from the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, 

submitted the following 

R E P O R T 

[To accompany H.R. 4635] 

[Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office] 

The Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, to whom was referred the 

bill (H.R. 4635) to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to increase the number of peer-to-peer counselors providing counseling 

for women veterans, and for other purposes, having considered the 

same, report favorably thereon with an amendment and recommend that the bill as amended do pass. 

CONTENTS 

Page 

Purpose and Summary ............................................................................................ 3 

Background and Need for Legislation .................................................................... 3 

Hearings ................................................................................................................... 4 

Subcommittee Consideration .................................................................................. 5 

Committee Consideration ........................................................................................ 5 

Committee Votes ...................................................................................................... 5 

Committee Oversight Findings ............................................................................... 5 

Statement of General Performance Goals and Objectives .................................... 5 

New Budget Authority, Entitlement Authority, and Tax Expenditures ............. 5 

Earmarks and Tax and Tariff Benefits .................................................................. 6 

Committee Cost Estimate ....................................................................................... 6 

Congressional Budget Office Estimate ................................................................... 6 

Federal Mandates Statement ................................................................................. 7 

Advisory Committee Statement .............................................................................. 7 

Constitutional Authority Statement ...................................................................... 7 

Applicability to Legislative Branch ........................................................................ 7 

Statement on Duplication of Federal Programs .................................................... 7 

Disclosure of Directed Rulemaking ........................................................................ 7 

Section-by-Section Analysis of the Legislation ...................................................... 7 

Changes in Existing Law Made by the Bill as Reported ...................................... 8 

The amendment is as follows: 

Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the following: 

2 

SECTION 1. PEER SUPPORT COUNSELING PROGRAM FOR WOMEN VETERANS. 

(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 1720F(j) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by 

adding at the end the following new paragraph: 

‘‘(4)(A) As part of the counseling program under this subsection, the Secretary 

shall emphasize appointing peer support counselors for women veterans. To the degree practicable, the Secretary shall seek to recruit women peer support counselors 

with expertise in— 

‘‘(i) female gender-specific issues and services; 

‘‘(ii) the provision of information about services and benefits provided under 

laws administered by the Secretary; or 

‘‘(iii) employment mentoring. 

‘‘(B) To the degree practicable, the Secretary shall emphasize facilitating peer support counseling for women veterans who are eligible for counseling and services 

under section 1720D of this title, have post-traumatic stress disorder or suffer from 

another mental health condition, are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless, or 

are otherwise at increased risk of suicide, as determined by the Secretary. 

‘‘(C) The Secretary shall conduct outreach to inform women veterans about the 

program and the assistance available under this paragraph. 

‘‘(D) In carrying out this paragraph, the Secretary shall coordinate with such community organizations, State and local governments, institutions of higher education, 

chambers of commerce, local business organizations, organizations that provide legal 

assistance, and other organizations as the Secretary considers appropriate. 

‘‘(E) In carrying out this paragraph, the Secretary shall provide adequate training 

for peer support counselors, including training carried out under the national program of training required by section 304(c) of the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus 

Health Services Act of 2010 (38 U.S.C. 1712A note).’’. 

(b) FUNDING.—The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall carry out paragraph (4) of 

section 1720F(j) of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection (a), using 

funds otherwise made available to the Secretary. No additional funds are authorized 

to be appropriated by reason of such paragraph. 

(c) REPORT TO CONGRESS.—Not later than two years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to the Committees 

on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives a report on the 

peer support counseling program under section 1720F(j) of title 38, United States 

Code, as amended by this section. Such report shall include— 

(1) the number of peer support counselors in the program; 

(2) an assessment of the effectiveness of the program; and 

(3) a description of the oversight of the program. 

AMENDMENT IN THE NATURE OF A SUBSTITUTE TO H.R. 4635 

OFFERED BY MR. COFFMAN OF COLORADO

Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the following: 

SECTION 1. PEER SUPPORT COUNSELING PROGRAM FOR WOMEN VETERANS. 

(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 1720F(j) of title 38, United States 

Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph: 

‘‘(4)(A) As part of the counseling program under this subsection, 

the Secretary shall emphasize appointing peer support counselors 

for women veterans. To the degree practicable, the Secretary shall 

seek to recruit women peer support counselors with expertise in— 

‘‘(i) female gender-specific issues and services; 

‘‘(ii) the provision of information about services and benefits 

provided under laws administered by the Secretary; or 

‘‘(iii) employment mentoring. 

‘‘(B) To the degree practicable, the Secretary shall emphasize facilitating peer support counseling for women veterans who are eligible for counseling and services under section 1720D of this title, 

have post-traumatic stress disorder or suffer from another mental 

health condition, are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless, or 

are otherwise at increased risk of suicide, as determined by the 

Secretary. 

3 

1 U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Suicide Prevention. Suicide among Veterans 

and Other Americans 2001–2014. August 3, 2016. https://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/docs/ 

2016suicidedatareport.pdf 2Disabled American Veterans. Women Veterans: The Long Journey Home. September 24, 

2014. https://www.dav.org/wp-content/uploads/women-veterans-study.pdf. 

‘‘(C) The Secretary shall conduct outreach to inform women veterans about the program and the assistance available under this 

paragraph. 

‘‘(D) In carrying out this paragraph, the Secretary shall coordinate with such community organizations, State and local governments, institutions of higher education, chambers of commerce, 

local business organizations, organizations that provide legal assistance, and other organizations as the Secretary considers appropriate. 

‘‘(E) In carrying out this paragraph, the Secretary shall provide 

adequate training for peer support counselors, including training 

carried out under the national program of training required by section 304(c) of the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2010 (38 U.S.C. 1712A note).’’. 

(b) FUNDING.—The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall carry out 

paragraph (4) of section 1720F(j) of title 38, United States Code, as 

added by subsection (a), using funds otherwise made available to 

the Secretary. No additional funds are authorized to be appropriated by reason of such paragraph. 

(c) REPORT TO CONGRESS.—Not later than two years after the 

date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 

shall submit to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate 

and House of Representatives a report on the peer support counseling program under section 1720F(j) of title 38, United States 

Code, as amended by this section. Such report shall include— 

(1) the number of peer support counselors in the program; 

(2) an assessment of the effectiveness of the program; and 

(3) a description of the oversight of the program. 

PURPOSE AND SUMMARY

H.R. 4635, as amended, would require the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to ensure that the existing peer support counseling program includes peer counselors for women veterans. Representative Mike Coffman of Colorado introduced H.R. 4635 on December 13, 2017. 

BACKGROUND AND NEED FOR LEGISLATION

With a population of almost 2 million and growing, women represent an increasingly significant segment of the veteran population.1 However, there are indications that military service and 

veteran status may affect women differently than men and that 

women veterans may lack equitable access to peer support opportunities during and after their transition from military service. For 

example, a 2014 report by the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) 

found that women face barriers to recognition as veterans and to 

VA services and benefits.2 According to DAV, ‘‘[t]he vast majority 

of these deficiencies result from a disregard for the differing needs 

of women veterans and a focusing on the 80 percent solutions for 

4 

3 Ibid. 

men who dominate in both numbers and the public consciousness.’’ 3

Section 1720F(j) of title 38 United States Code (U.S.C.) requires 

VA’s comprehensive program for suicide prevention among veterans to include a peer support counseling program under which 

veterans are allowed to volunteer to serve as peer counselors to assist other veterans with mental health and readjustment issues 

and to conduct outreach to veterans and their families. The Committee strongly supports this and other VA peer support programs 

and believes them to be beneficial in assisting veterans, particularly those who are struggling with mental health or substance 

abuse issues, achieve successful recovery and reintegration, reduce 

stigma, and increase adherence to plans of care. However, the 

Committee is concerned that the existing volunteer peer support 

counselor program may not include sufficient volunteer peer support counselors who are women veterans or who are fluent in 

issues important to woman veterans. 

Section 2 of the bill would require that, when carrying out the 

existing volunteer peer support counseling program, VA emphasize 

appointing volunteer peer support counselors for women veterans 

and, to the extent practicable, seek to recruit volunteer peer support counselors for women veterans with certain relevant expertise. 

To ensure such volunteer peer support counselors are paired with 

the veterans most in need of their services, section 2 of the bill 

would further require that VA emphasize assigning volunteer peer 

support counselors to women veterans who have experienced military sexual trauma, have been diagnosed with post-traumatic 

stress disorder (PTSD) or another mental health condition, are 

homeless or at-risk of homelessness, or are otherwise at an increased risk of suicide as determined by VA. VA would also be required to conduct outreach to women veterans regarding the availability of volunteer peer support counselors and to report to Congress on the volunteer peer support counseling program. It is the 

Committee’s expectation that, to the extent possible, VA will make 

a reasonable effort to recruit a sufficient number of women volunteer peer support counselors to meet the demand for such counselors across the VA healthcare system, recognizing that such demand will vary from facility to facility and that VA’s ability to recruit volunteers may also vary. 

HEARINGS

On April 17, 2018, the Subcommittee on Health conducted a legislative hearing on a number of bills including H.R. 4635. 

The following witnesses testified: 

The Honorable Beto O’Rourke, U.S. House of Representatives, 16th District, Texas; The Honorable Tim Walberg, U.S. 

House of Representatives, 7th District; Michigan; The Honorable Neal Dunn, U.S. House of Representatives, 2nd District, 

Florida; The Honorable Luis Correa, U.S. House of Representatives, 46th District, California; The Honorable Mike Coffman, 

U.S. House of Representatives, 6th District, Colorado; Louis J. 

Celli, Director, National Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation 

Division, The American Legion; Adrian M. Atizado, Deputy NaVerDate Sep 11 2014 23:38 May 21, 2018 Jkt 079006 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HR687.XXX HR687
5 

tional Legislative Director, Disabled American Veterans; Sarah 

S. Dean, Associate Legislative Director, Paralyzed Veterans of 

America; and Kayda Keleher, Associate Director, National Legislative Service, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States. 

Statements for the record were submitted by: 

The Elizabeth Dole Foundation; the Independence Fund; 

Veteran Cannabis Project; Wounded Warrior Project; and Iraq 

and Afghanistan Veterans of America. 

SUBCOMMITTEE CONSIDERATION

There was no Subcommittee consideration of H.R. 4635. 

COMMITTEE CONSIDERATION

On May 8, 2018, the full Committee met in open markup session, 

a quorum being present, and ordered H.R. 4635, as amended, to be 

reported favorably to the House of Representatives by voice vote. 

During consideration of the bill, the following amendment was considered and agreed to by voice vote: 

An amendment in the nature of a substitute offered by Representative Mike Coffman of Colorado. 

COMMITTEE VOTES

In compliance with clause 3(b) of rule XIII of the Rules of the 

House of Representatives, there were no recorded votes taken on 

amendments or in connection with ordering H.R. 4635, as amended, reported to the House. A motion by Representative Tim Walz 

of Minnesota, Ranking Member of the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, to report H.R. 4635, as amended, favorably to the House of 

Representatives was adopted by voice vote. 

COMMITTEE OVERSIGHT FINDINGS

In compliance with clause 3(c)(1) of rule XIII and clause (2)(b)(1) 

of rule X of the Rules of the House of Representatives, the Committee’s oversight findings and recommendations are reflected in the 

descriptive portions of this report. 

STATEMENT OF GENERAL PERFORMANCE GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

In accordance with clause 3(c)(4) of rule XIII of the Rules of the 

House of Representatives, the Committee’s performance goals and 

objectives are to ensure that there is a sufficient availability of volunteer peer support counselors across the VA healthcare system to 

provide volunteer peer support counseling services to the growing 

population of women veterans. 

NEW BUDGET AUTHORITY, ENTITLEMENT AUTHORITY, AND TAX

EXPENDITURES

In compliance with clause 3(c)(2) of rule XIII of the Rules of the 

House of Representatives, the Committee adopts as its own the estimate of new budget authority, entitlement authority, or tax expenditures or revenues contained in the cost estimate prepared by 

the Director of the Congressional Budget Office pursuant to section 

402 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974. 

6 

EARMARKS AND TAX AND TARIFF BENEFITS

H.R. 4635, as amended, does not contain any Congressional earmarks, limited tax benefits, or limited tariff benefits as defined in 

clause 9 of rule XXI of the Rules of the House of Representatives. 

COMMITTEE COST ESTIMATE

The Committee adopts as its own the cost estimate on H.R. 4635, 

as amended, prepared by the Director of the Congressional Budget 

Office pursuant to section 402 of the Congressional Budget Act of 

1974. 

CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE COST ESTIMATE

Pursuant to clause 3(c)(3) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House 

of Representatives, the following is the cost estimate for H.R. 4635, 

as amended, provided by the Director of the Congressional Budget 

Office pursuant to section 402 of the Congressional Budget Act of 

1974: 

U.S. CONGRESS, 

CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE, 

Washington, DC, May 9, 2018. 

Hon. PHIL ROE, M.D., 

Chairman, Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, 

House of Representatives, Washington, DC. 

DEAR MR. CHAIRMAN: The Congressional Budget Office has prepared the enclosed cost estimate for H.R. 4635, a bill to direct the 

Secretary of Veterans Affairs to increase the number of peer-topeer counselors providing counseling for women veterans, and for 

other purposes. 

If you wish further details on this estimate, we will be pleased 

to provide them. The CBO staff contact is Ann E. Futrell. 

Sincerely, 

KEITH HALL, Director. 

Enclosure. 

H.R. 4635—A bill to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to increase the number of peer-to-peer counselors providing counseling for women veterans, and for other purposes 

H.R. 4635 would require the Department of Veterans Affairs 

(VA) to attempt to recruit women as peer counselors. Under current law, VA operates the Peer Support Counseling Program where 

veterans voluntarily provide support to fellow veterans on issues 

related to mental health care and readjustment. The bill would direct VA to place an emphasis on appointing and training volunteer 

peer counselors for women veterans and to submit a report to the 

Congress providing an assessment of the program. On the basis of 

information from VA, CBO estimates that this bill would cost less 

than $500,000 over the 2019–2023 period to expand the training 

curriculum and prepare a report on the program; that spending 

would be subject to the availability of appropriated funds. 

Enacting H.R. 4635 would not affect direct spending or revenues; 

therefore, pay-as-you-go procedures do not apply. 

7 

CBO estimates that enacting H.R. 4635 would not increase net 

direct spending or on-budget deficits in any of the four consecutive 

10-year periods beginning in 2029. 

H.R. 4635 contains no intergovernmental or private-sector mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act. 

The CBO staff contact for this estimate is Ann E. Futrell. The 

estimate was reviewed by Leo Lex, Deputy Assistant Director for 

Budget Analysis. 

FEDERAL MANDATES STATEMENT

The Committee adopts as its own the estimate of Federal mandates regarding H.R. 4635, as amended, prepared by the Director 

of the Congressional Budget Office pursuant to section 423 of the 

Unfunded Mandates Reform Act. 

ADVISORY COMMITTEE STATEMENT

No advisory committees within the meaning of section 5(b) of the 

Federal Advisory Committee Act would be created by H.R. 4635, as 

amended. 

STATEMENT OF CONSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITY

Pursuant to Article I, section 8 of the United States Constitution, 

H.R. 4635, as amended, is authorized by Congress’ power to ‘‘provide for the common Defense and general Welfare of the United 

States.’’ 

APPLICABILITY TO LEGISLATIVE BRANCH

The Committee finds that H.R. 4635, as amended, does not relate 

to the terms and conditions of employment or access to public services or accommodations within the meaning of section 102(b)(3) of 

the Congressional Accountability Act. 

STATEMENT ON DUPLICATION OF FEDERAL PROGRAMS

Pursuant to clause 3(c)(5) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House 

of Representatives, the Committee finds that no provision of H.R. 

4635, as amended, establishes or reauthorizes a program of the 

Federal Government known to be duplicative of another Federal 

program, a program that was included in any report from the Government Accountability Office to Congress pursuant to section 21 

of Public Law 111–139, or a program related to a program identified in the most recent Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance. 

DISCLOSURE OF DIRECTED RULEMAKING

Pursuant to section 3(i) of H. Res. 5, 115th Cong. (2017), the 

Committee estimates that H.R. 4635, as amended, contains no directed rulemaking that would require the Secretary to prescribe 

regulations. 

SECTION-BY-SECTION ANALYSIS OF THE LEGISLATION

Section 1. Peer support counseling program for women veterans 

Section 1(a) of the bill would amend section 1720F(j) of title 38 

U.S.C. by adding at the end a new paragraph 1720F(j)(4). 

8 

The new paragraph 1720F(j)(4)(A) would require VA, as part of 

the counseling program under this subsection, to emphasize appointing peer support counselors for women veterans and, to the 

degree practicable, to seek to recruit women peer support counselors with expertise in female gender specific issues and services, 

the provision of information about services and benefits provided 

under laws administered by VA, or employment mentoring. 

The new paragraph 1720F(j)(4)(B) would require VA, to the extent practicable, to emphasize facilitating peer support counseling 

for women veterans who are eligible for counseling and services 

under section 1720D of title 38 U.S.C., have PTSD or suffer from 

another mental health condition, are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless, or are otherwise at increased risk of suicide as determined by VA. 

The new paragraph 1720F(j)(4)(C) would require VA to conduct 

outreach to inform women veterans about the program and the assistance available under the volunteer peer support counseling program. 

The new paragraph 1720F(j)(4)(D) would require VA to coordinate with such community organizations, State and local governments, institutions of higher education, chambers of commerce, 

local business organizations, organizations that provide legal assistance, and other organizations as VA considers appropriate. 

The new paragraph 1720F(j)(4)(E) would require VA to provide 

adequate training for peer support counselors including training 

carried out under the national program of training required by section 304(c) of the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2010 (38 U.S.C. 1712A note). 

Section 1(b) of the bill would require VA to carry out paragraph 

(4) of section 1720F(j) of title 38 U.S.C. as added by subsection 1(a) 

of the bill using funds otherwise made available to VA and stipulate that no additional funds are authorized to be appropriated by 

reason of such paragraph. 

Section 1(c) of the bill would require VA, not later than two years 

after the date of enactment, to submit to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives a report 

on the peer support counseling program under section 1720F(j) of 

title 38 U.S.C. as amended by section 1(a) of the bill and require 

such report to include the number of peer support counselors in the 

program, an assessment of the effectiveness of the program, and a 

description of the oversight of the program. 

CHANGES IN EXISTING LAW MADE BY THE BILL, AS REPORTED

In compliance with clause 3(e) of rule XIII of the Rules of the 

House of Representatives, changes in existing law made by the bill, 

as reported, are shown as follows (existing law proposed to be omitted is enclosed in black brackets, new matter is printed in italic, 

existing law in which no change is proposed is shown in roman): 

CHANGES IN EXISTING LAW MADE BY THE BILL, AS REPORTED

In compliance with clause 3(e) of rule XIII of the Rules of the 

House of Representatives, changes in existing law made by the bill, 

as reported, are shown as follows (new matter is printed in italic 

9 

and existing law in which no change is proposed is shown in 

roman): 

TITLE 38, UNITED STATES CODE 

* * * * * * * 

PART II—GENERAL BENEFITS 

* * * * * * * 

CHAPTER 17—HOSPITAL, NURSING HOME, 

DOMICILIARY, AND MEDICAL CARE 

* * * * * * * 

SUBCHAPTER II—HOSPITAL, NURSING HOME, OR 

DOMICILIARY CARE AND MEDICAL TREATMENT 

* * * * * * * 

§ 1720F. Comprehensive program for suicide prevention 

among veterans 

(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Secretary shall develop and carry out 

a comprehensive program designed to reduce the incidence of suicide among veterans incorporating the components described in 

this section. 

(b) STAFF EDUCATION.—In carrying out the comprehensive program under this section, the Secretary shall provide for mandatory 

training for appropriate staff and contractors (including all medical 

personnel) of the Department who interact with veterans. This 

training shall cover information appropriate to the duties being 

performed by such staff and contractors. The training shall include 

information on— 

(1) recognizing risk factors for suicide; 

(2) proper protocols for responding to crisis situations involving veterans who may be at high risk for suicide; and 

(3) best practices for suicide prevention. 

(c) HEALTH ASSESSMENTS OF VETERANS.—In carrying out the 

comprehensive program, the Secretary shall direct that medical 

staff offer mental health in their overall health assessment when 

veterans seek medical care at a Department medical facility (including a center established under section 1712A of this title) and 

make referrals, at the request of the veteran concerned, to appropriate counseling and treatment programs for veterans who show 

signs or symptoms of mental health problems. 

(d) DESIGNATION OF SUICIDE PREVENTION COUNSELORS.—In carrying out the comprehensive program, the Secretary shall designate a suicide prevention counselor at each Department medical 

facility other than centers established under section 1712A of this 

title. Each counselor shall work with local emergency rooms, police 

departments, mental health organizations, and veterans service organizations to engage in outreach to veterans and improve the coordination of mental health care to veterans. 

(e) BEST PRACTICES RESEARCH.—In carrying out the comprehensive program, the Secretary shall provide for research on best pracVerDate Sep 11 2014 23:38 May 21, 2018 Jkt 079006 PO 00000 Frm 00009 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HR687.XXX HR687
10 

tices for suicide prevention among veterans. Research shall be conducted under this subsection in consultation with the heads of the 

following entities: 

(1) The Department of Health and Human Services. 

(2) The National Institute of Mental Health. 

(3) The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. 

(4) The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 

(f) SEXUAL TRAUMA RESEARCH.—In carrying out the comprehensive program, the Secretary shall provide for research on mental 

health care for veterans who have experienced sexual trauma while 

in military service. The research design shall include consideration 

of veterans of a reserve component. 

(g) 24-HOUR MENTAL HEALTH CARE.—In carrying out the comprehensive program, the Secretary shall provide for mental health 

care availability to veterans on a 24-hour basis. 

(h) HOTLINE.—In carrying out the comprehensive program, the 

Secretary may provide for a toll-free hotline for veterans to be 

staffed by appropriately trained mental health personnel and available at all times. 

(i) OUTREACH AND EDUCATION FOR VETERANS AND FAMILIES.—In 

carrying out the comprehensive program, the Secretary shall provide for outreach to and education for veterans and the families of 

veterans, with special emphasis on providing information to veterans of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom and the families of such veterans. Education to promote mental health shall include information designed to— 

(1) remove the stigma associated with mental illness; 

(2) encourage veterans to seek treatment and assistance for 

mental illness; 

(3) promote skills for coping with mental illness; and 

(4) help families of veterans with— 

(A) understanding issues arising from the readjustment 

of veterans to civilian life; 

(B) identifying signs and symptoms of mental illness; 

and 

(C) encouraging veterans to seek assistance for mental 

illness. 

(j) PEER SUPPORT COUNSELING PROGRAM.—(1) In carrying out the 

comprehensive program, the Secretary shall establish and carry out 

a peer support counseling program, under which veterans shall be 

permitted to volunteer as peer counselors— 

(A) to assist other veterans with issues related to mental 

health and readjustment; and 

(B) to conduct outreach to veterans and the families of veterans. 

(2) In carrying out the peer support counseling program under 

this subsection, the Secretary shall provide adequate training for 

peer counselors, including training carried out under the national 

program of training required by section 304(c) of the Caregivers 

and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2010 (38 U.S.C. 

1712A note). 

(3) In addition to other locations the Secretary considers appropriate, the Secretary shall carry out the peer support program 

under this subsection at each Department medical center. 

11 

(4)(A) As part of the counseling program under this subsection, 

the Secretary shall emphasize appointing peer support counselors 

for women veterans. To the degree practicable, the Secretary shall 

seek to recruit women peer support counselors with expertise in— 

(i) female gender-specific issues and services; 

(ii) the provision of information about services and benefits 

provided under laws administered by the Secretary; or 

(iii) employment mentoring. 

(B) To the degree practicable, the Secretary shall emphasize facilitating peer support counseling for women veterans who are eligible 

for counseling and services under section 1720D of this title, have 

post-traumatic stress disorder or suffer from another mental health 

condition, are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless, or are otherwise at increased risk of suicide, as determined by the Secretary. 

(C) The Secretary shall conduct outreach to inform women veterans about the program and the assistance available under this 

paragraph. 

(D) In carrying out this paragraph, the Secretary shall coordinate 

with such community organizations, State and local governments, 

institutions of higher education, chambers of commerce, local business organizations, organizations that provide legal assistance, and 

other organizations as the Secretary considers appropriate. 

(E) In carrying out this paragraph, the Secretary shall provide 

adequate training for peer support counselors, including training 

carried out under the national program of training required by section 304(c) of the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services 

Act of 2010 (38 U.S.C. 1712A note). 

(k) OTHER COMPONENTS.—In carrying out the comprehensive program, the Secretary may provide for other actions to reduce the incidence of suicide among veterans that the Secretary considers appropriate. 

* * * * * * * 

Æ