U.S. Sens. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) and Thom Tillis (R-NC) last week joined five of their U.S. Senate Republican colleagues in urging the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) to address the mental health of U.S. military service members during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly the impact of social distancing.
“We must fight this infectious disease with every tool at our disposal — but not at the expense of our service members’ health and welfare,” the lawmakers wrote in an April 13 letter sent to U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper. “We write today to encourage you to also reflect on the unintended consequences that social distancing measures of isolation and quarantine may have on our service members’ mental, spiritual and emotional health.”
Among the members who joined Sens. Blackburn and Tillis in signing the letter were U.S. Sens. Jerry Moran (R-KS) and Joni Ernst (R-IA).
“A comprehensive plan of action by DOD to address symptoms of suicide, depression and other mental health-related illnesses under the current environment of isolation would provide a framework for these leaders to build on the team dynamic and remain virtually connected,” the senators wrote.
The lawmakers added that commanders also should feel empowered to request resources to help them meet the minimum safety guidelines outlined by the Trump administration and senior health officials, particularly regarding the risk of suicide within the DOD, which released its most recent Quarterly Suicide Report showing an increase in suicides among the Active Component that totaled 95 deaths during the fourth quarter of 2019, an increase of 12 deaths from the third quarter and an increase of six deaths from the same time period in 2018.
“The department must continue to be dedicated and deliberate in its approach to suicide prevention,” wrote the senators. “Anxiety, isolation, lack of purpose, financial hardship, prolonged loneliness, depression and personal loss are some of the many indicators that increase one’s risk for suicide.”
Sens. Blackburn, Tillis and their colleagues suggested that while still participating in necessary social distancing, the Defense Suicide Prevention Office should leverage its resources across the military services and other governmental and non-governmental agencies, non-profit organizations, and community partners to reduce the risk for suicide during “this unprecedented time.”