New Trump order focused on preventing suicide among new vets

[nitpicker]

https://www.militarytimes.com/veterans/2018/01/09/new-trump-order-focused-on-preventing-suicide-among-new-vets/

New Trump order focused on preventing suicide among new vets

By: Leo Shane III    19 hours ago

WASHINGTON — In an effort to stem the tide of veterans suicides, President Donald Trump on Tuesday will sign an executive order mandating new mental health options for recently separated service members. Federal officials estimate about 20 veterans a day nationwide take their own lives, but outside advocates say they believe that number could be even higher. The departments of Veterans Affairs and Defense have launched numerous initiatives in recent years to increase outreach to at-risk veterans, with mixed results.

The new executive order will require those two bureaucracies and the Department of Homeland Security within 60 days to establish new plans for “seamless mental health care” for troops leaving the military services. Once written, the agencies will have another six months to put the new reforms into place.

The plans could include expanded VA health services, extended access to Defense Department resources, more availability for care in the private sector, or some combination of all of those options.

White House officials familiar with the new order said the plans are also expected to include changes to the military’s post-service transition programs, to put a bigger emphasis on mental health care importance and availability.
(snip)