King County Council voices support for improving mental health services for veterans

October 29, 2012

Summary

Council urges federal passage of the Mental Health ACCESS Act of 2012

Story

The Metropolitan King County Council today unanimously voiced its support for the federal Mental Health ACCESS Act of 2012, which addresses the increased prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), traumatic brain injury (TBI), and the rising rate of suicide among veterans.

“The Mental Health ACCESS Act of 2012 will provide critical support for our returning veterans who struggle with PTSD, TBI, and other service-related traumas,” said Councilmember Bob Ferguson, prime sponsor of the motion. “Veterans deserve our support, and we have an obligation to provide the tools and resources they need to successfully reintegrate back to civilian life.”

“Confronting the mental effects of war has historically been a challenge for men and women in uniform and impedes their ability to transition back into civilian life,” said Councilmember Julia Patterson, a co-sponsor of the motion. “But as more soldiers come home we are morally obligated to provide sufficient mental health care and support services. This federal legislation would assist veterans and their loved ones throughout King County, and I’m proud that the council has showed its support today.”

“I am grateful for the support voiced by the King County Council for passage of the Mental Health ACCESS Act. As the mental health needs of our servicemembers and veterans continue to grow, it is clear we must do more to treat the unseen wounds of war,” said U.S. Senator Patty Murray. “My bill would make improvements to ensure that those who have served have access to consistent, quality behavioral health care. I will continue to work with my colleagues in the Senate to pass this critical legislation.”

The Mental Health ACCESS Act of 2012 will address gaps in mental health services provided by the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs and U.S. Department of Defense programs. The Act calls for increased oversight and enhanced performance measurements for suicide prevention programs offered by the Department of Defense. It will develop new programs to assist and counsel family members of veterans, as well as increase the availability of veteran-to-veteran peer support services.

In 2012, suicides among veterans and active duty service members outpaced the number of combat-related deaths reaching an average rate of one suicide every 80 minutes. While improved technology in body armor means that a soldier is now more likely to survive an explosion, the explosion’s force can bruise a soldier’s brain and lead to TBI. In addition, an increase in the number of tours, increased days of direct combat, and other factors have contributed to the increase of PTSD among veterans.

The passage of the federal ACCESS act would assist the nearly 137,000 veterans who reside in King County. Locally, King County has a strong commitment to serving its veterans, investing about $7 million in services every year to veterans and military personnel and their families through the King County Veterans and Human Services Levy. Sponsored by King County Councilmember Bob Ferguson, the Veterans and Human Services Levy was originally approved by voters in 2005 and overwhelmingly renewed in 2011.

The Mental Health ACCESS ACT of 2012 is sponsored by Washington State Senator Patty Murray, who chairs the Committee on Veteran Affairs. The ACCESS Act has been passed out of committee and is currently waiting on a vote from U.S. Senate.