Suicide Rates Among Veterans - Essay Example

The veteran population is currently estimated at 25 million Americans. The Department of Veterans Affairs estimates over 178,000 veterans from the Iraqi and Afghan wars are currently suffering from single or multiple brain disorders.  Without access to effective treatment, veteran suicide rates will continue to increase.

Status Quo Policy Situation

 The Department of Veterans Affairs is providing inadequate healthcare and dysfunctional healthcare access and has been ineffective in handling the effects of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder appropriately, as evidenced by the astoundingly high and rising rates of veterans who are attempting suicide. Efforts to address this issue have been abysmally unsuccessful.  In 2009 alone, there were 1800 veterans from two wars who attempted suicide.  The development and implementation of the new policy are critical and urgent. 

The Department of Veteran Affairs utilizes 132.2 billion dollars to provide each veteran with $2,600 per month for treatment.  Many hospitals and clinics have been opened to cater to these patients. However, the department has made little progress in minimizing the suicide rates, with lengthy waiting periods and single counseling sessions only proving to be inadequate.

Policy Recommendation

Support the Veterans Mental Health Screening Assessment Act proposed by representatives Rooney and McMahon. The Act will help prevent veteran suicide by;

• providing timely cerebral disorder screening
• enable tracking and monitoring of veterans who are at high suicide risks
• making war returnee screening mandatory for veterans, thus reducing waiting periods and stigma
• correct incompetency in the Department of Veteran Affairs that has resulted in lawsuits being filed by Veterans for Common Sense and other advocacy groups for veterans disabled by recent wars.

Alternative Policy Arguments Refuted

The Bill earlier experienced stiff opposition from Senator Coburn, M.D. (R-OK) who suggested:

• it would lead to documentation of a mental health condition, interfering with the right of a veteran in applying for a firearms license
• compulsory screening is an insult

He had strongly cautioned the House about enacting the bill.  However, according to the Senator’s website, he is no longer objecting.