President Obama signs Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention Act

WASHINGTON (DoD News) — President Barack Obama has signed into law the Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for American Veterans Act, or SAV Act.

The act is aimed at reducing military and veteran suicides and improving their access to quality mental health care.

Hunt was a decorated Marine veteran who struggled with post-traumatic stress. He deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan and was wounded in Anbar Province, Iraq, and witnessed the combat deaths of close friends.

Two years after his discharge and after repeated setbacks in his medical care, Hunt took his own life.

Selfless, Brave Veteran

“By all accounts, he was selfless and he was brave,” Obama said of Hunt. “And when he died in 2011, it was a heartbreaking loss for his family, his fellow Marines and our nation, because Clay had already done a great deal of good in the world. And the truth is -- he was just getting started.”

Through unimaginable grief, Hunt’s family, friends and fellow veterans made it their mission to spare other families the pain they endured, the president said.

“So they shared Clay’s story far and wide,” Obama said. “And they reached out to members of Congress. And they lobbied and they testified and made personal appeals. And thanks to their tireless efforts — and we are particularly grateful to Clay’s family, being able to transform grief into action — today, I will sign the Clay Hunt SAV Act into law.”

The president said the best way to honor Hunt “is to make sure that more veterans like him are here for all the years to come and able to make extraordinary contributions, building on what they’ve already done for our safety and our security.”

Improving Mental Health Care, Suicide Prevention Programs

The act builds on efforts still in progress to improve Veterans Affairs mental health care access by

Requiring annual third party evaluations of VA’s mental health care and suicide prevention programs;

Creating a centralized website with resources and information about the range of mental health services available from the VA;

Conducting a three-year pilot program using peer support to assist veterans transitioning from active duty; and

Encouraging collaborative suicide prevention efforts between the VA and non-profit mental health organizations.

The president’s proposed 2016 budget also includes more than $7 billion for the VA to continue its focus on expanding and transforming mental health services for veterans, including treatment for post-traumatic stress, ensuring timely access to mental health care, and treatment for military sexual trauma.

“This law will not bring Clay back, as much as we wish it would,” Obama said, “but the reforms that it puts in place would’ve helped, and they’ll help others who are going through the same challenging process that he went through.”

It’s time to eliminate the stigma and barriers that face those who seek help, the president said. Asking for help is hard enough, he said, particularly when you are used to helping others.

Nevada Sen Dean Heller said he was pleased the bill passed.

I admire the mothers who came before this Committee last Congress to tell their stories about their sons,” he said. “It took a great amount of courage, and I hope this bill will turn the tide for all the veterans out there who may be facing this problem.

Nevada’s senior senator, Harry Reid, als said he heard the stories from families about suicides committed by veterans.

“Today is an important day for veterans in Nevada and across the country, as the Senate finally passed the Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for American Veterans Act,” Reid said. “Clay Hunt was an outstanding American. He served honorably in Iraq and Afghanistan, and he continued to serve by volunteering in Haiti after he got out of the military. Unfortunately, he was unable to overcome what happened to him on his combat missions, and he committed suicide. Clay Hunt is not alone. 22 veterans commit suicide every day. I hope the passage of this important legislation will help put an end to this devastating trend.” I