Encouraging the connecting of members of the Armed Forces in the United States to support structures necessary to transition from the battlefield.

Bill: 118-hres-848
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Van Orden, Derrick [R-WI-3]
Introduced: 2023-11-06
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Commemorative events and holidays

Health care coverage and access

Health promotion and preventive care

Mental health

Military personnel and dependents

Veterans' medical care

Veterans' organizations and recognition
Latest action: action_date: 2023-11-13
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

Summaries:
action_date: 2023-11-06
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p>This resolution encourages all individuals in the United States to engage with veterans and members of the Armed Forces to connect them with support.</p>

action_date: 2023-11-13
action_desc: Passed House
text: <p>This resolution encourages all individuals in the United States to engage with veterans and members of the Armed Forces to connect them with support.</p>

tv_txt: IV 118th CONGRESS 1st Session H. RES. 848 In the House of Representatives, U. S., November 13, 2023 RESOLUTION Encouraging the connecting of members of the Armed Forces in the United States to support structures necessary to transition from the battlefield.

Whereas the number of suicides of members of the Armed Forces serving on active duty increased to 377 in 2020, an increase from 348 in 2019; Whereas the suicide rate for veterans has steadily increased since 2006, with 6,261 veterans taking their own lives in 2019; Whereas, after adjusting for sex and age, the rate of veteran suicide in 2018 was 27.5 per 100,000 individuals, higher than the rate among all United States adults, which was 18.3 per 100,000 individuals; Whereas more veterans have died by suicide in the last 10 years than members of the Armed Forces who died from combat in Vietnam; Whereas many of the veterans who take their own lives have had no contact with the Department of Veterans Affairs; Whereas the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID–19) pandemic can lead to increased isolation and disconnection, further exacerbating mental and physical ailments such as post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury; Whereas the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention note that law enforcement officers and firefighters are more likely to die by suicide than in the line of duty, and emergency medical services providers are 1.39 times more likely to die by suicide than members of the general public; Whereas invisible wounds linked to an underlying and undiagnosed traumatic brain injury can mirror many mental health conditions, a problem that can be addressed through appropriate medical treatment; and Whereas additional research is needed to highlight the connection between traumatic brain injury as a root cause of invisible wounds and suicide by members of the Armed Forces and veterans: Now, therefore, be it

That the House of Representatives— (1) encourages all individuals in the United States, especially members of the Armed Forces serving on active duty and veterans, to call a warrior, have an honest conversation, and connect them with support, understanding that making a warrior call could save a life; and (2) implores all individuals in the United States to commit themselves to engaging with members of the Armed Forces and veterans to promote solutions and treatment for the invisible scars that members of the Armed Forces carry.

Cheryl L. Johnson, Clerk.

tv_txt: IV 118th CONGRESS 1st Session H. RES. 848 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES November 6, 2023 Mr. Van Orden (for himself, Mr. Moulton , Mr. Hudson , and Mr. Levin ) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Armed Services , and in addition to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs , for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned RESOLUTION Encouraging the connecting of members of the Armed Forces in the United States to support structures necessary to transition from the battlefield.

Whereas the number of suicides of members of the Armed Forces serving on active duty increased to 377 in 2020, an increase from 348 in 2019; Whereas the suicide rate for veterans has steadily increased since 2006, with 6,261 veterans taking their own lives in 2019; Whereas, after adjusting for sex and age, the rate of veteran suicide in 2018 was 27.5 per 100,000 individuals, higher than the rate among all United States adults, which was 18.3 per 100,000 individuals; Whereas more veterans have died by suicide in the last 10 years than members of the Armed Forces who died from combat in Vietnam; Whereas many of the veterans who take their own lives have had no contact with the Department of Veterans Affairs; Whereas the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID–19) pandemic can lead to increased isolation and disconnection, further exacerbating mental and physical ailments such as post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury; Whereas the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention note that law enforcement officers and firefighters are more likely to die by suicide than in the line of duty, and emergency medical services providers are 1.39 times more likely to die by suicide than members of the general public; Whereas invisible wounds linked to an underlying and undiagnosed traumatic brain injury can mirror many mental health conditions, a problem that can be addressed through appropriate medical treatment; and Whereas additional research is needed to highlight the connection between traumatic brain injury as a root cause of invisible wounds and suicide by members of the Armed Forces and veterans: Now, therefore, be it

That the House of Representatives— (1) encourages all individuals in the United States, especially members of the Armed Forces serving on active duty and veterans, to call a warrior, have an honest conversation, and connect them with support, understanding that making a warrior call could save a life; and (2) implores all individuals in the United States to commit themselves to engaging with members of the Armed Forces and veterans to promote solutions and treatment for the invisible scars that members of the Armed Forces carry.