McSally sponsors bill to provide U.S. service members with mental health support

U.S. Sen. Martha McSally (R-AZ) on July 28 introduced a mental health bill honoring fallen Arizona sailor Brandon Caserta, 21, who died by suicide that later was attributed to persistent hazing and bullying from some members of his U.S. Navy squadron.

“Bullying and abuse have no place in our military,” Sen. McSally said. “The bullying Brandon Caserta experienced in his squadron is heartbreaking, and what’s worse is that he was unable to get the mental health treatment he needed.”

Sen. McSally sponsored the Brandon Act, S. 4334, which would improve the process by which a member of the U.S. Armed Forces may be referred for a mental health evaluation, according to the text of the bill.

“This legislation honors Brandon’s legacy of selfless service and kindness by creating a confidential reporting method for service members struggling with their mental health,” said Sen. McSally. “We must continue to break the stigma around mental health.”

Specifically, S. 4334 would provide service members a way to confidentially request a mental health evaluation and treatment without going through their chain of command by using a select phrase, such as “Brandon Act,” a process that’s similar to the restricted reporting option that protects victims of sexual assault, according to a bill summary provided by Sen. McSally’s office.

“The Brandon Act would carry on his legacy by ensuring all service members can ask for help with no risk of retaliation when they are struggling,” said Teri and Patrick Caserta, the parents of Brandon Caserta, who died on June 25, 2018 on the flight line at the Naval Air Station in Norfolk, Va. “We thank Senator McSally for introducing this legislation and bringing Brandon’s Act one step closer to becoming law.”

Sen. McSally noted that she is “honored to work with Brandon’s family to continue his legacy through this life-saving legislation.”