Bipartisan legislation sponsored by U.S. Rep. Dave Joyce (R-OH) to prevent suicides among United States military members received approval on June 22 from the U.S. House of Representatives as part of a larger health-related package.
“We can never truly repay the sacrifices made by our nation’s service members, but by passing this legislation, Congress is another step closer to making a meaningful difference in the lives of countless American heroes and their families,” Rep. Joyce said.
In September 2021, the congressman introduced the Military Suicide Prevention in the 21st Century Act, H.R. 5352, with lead original cosponsor U.S Rep. Jimmy Panetta (D-CA). The bill would require the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) to carry out a two-year pilot program for programming suicide prevention resources onto smart devices issued to members of the U.S. Armed Forces and to provide training on the resources, according to the text of the bill.
Specifically, H.R. 5352 would require the DOD to pre-download the app called Virtual Hope Box and pre-program the National Suicide Hotline and Veterans Crisis Line onto service members’ government-issued smart devices, such as phones, tablets, and laptops, according to a bill summary from Rep. Joyce’s office.
Additionally, the DOD would be required to use these resources during department-wide annual suicide prevention training, the summary says.
“The men and women of America’s Armed Forces risk their lives fighting for our freedoms and our security. Unfortunately, many service members are left with invisible scars that linger long after they return home and countless soldiers ultimately take their own lives,” said Rep. Joyce. “That’s why I introduced the Military Suicide Prevention in the 21st Century Act, which utilizes modern technology to improve support for America’s service members struggling with their mental health.”
His bill gained House passage with a 402-20 vote on the larger, Restoring Hope for Mental Health and Well-Being Act, H.R. 7666, which reauthorizes through fiscal year 2027, expands and otherwise modifies various federal programs, grants, and related activities that focus on mental and behavioral health, according to the congressional record bill summary.
The U.S. Senate on June 23 received H.R. 7666 and referred it for consideration to the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee.