Mental Health Support for Service Men and Women Subject of Thompson Forum

Washington, DC – U.S. Representative Glenn ‘GT' Thompson (PA-05) today joined with stakeholders from across the Erie region in discussing mental health issues affecting service men and women, along with veterans. Specific areas of discussion included post-traumatic stress disorder among the region's veterans, along with suicide prevention programs for those who have served our nation.

"These are issues which are very important to me, both as a member of Congress and as the father of a son who has served in Iraq and Afghanistan," Thompson said. "I am so appreciative of the feedback provided by these groups who are truly on the front lines in helping our service men and women."

Those in attendance included organizations which deal with veterans, including Boots on the Ground and the Veterans Miracle Center of Erie, along with the V.A. Medical Center of Erie. Local officials also contributed, in addition to veterans coordinators from multiple universities. Thompson also provided an update on legislation, some on which he authored, intended to help veterans and those who are still serving in the military, including:

• The Medical Evaluation Parity for Service Members (MEPS) Act, which was amended into the Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016. This legislation is intended to improve military suicide prevention by instituting a mental health assessment for all new recruits, to be used as a baseline through their military careers.
• The Veterans E-Health and Telemedicine Support Act of 2015, which would allow Veterans Affairs health professionals to practice telemedicine across state borders, improving access to mental and behavioral health services, especially in rural areas. This builds upon previous Thompson legislation, the STEP Act, which was signed into law in 2013.
• The Veteran Wellness Act, which will create a grant program through the Department of Veteran Affairs for Veteran Service Organizations' to assist with the modernization and improvement of facilities to be used for wellness activities.

"With Congress returning to session in September, I am looking forward to taking what I learned today in Erie back to my colleagues," Thompson added. "We need to make sure those who have bravely served our nation have the support they need when they return home."