U.S. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse has introduced legislation to improve crucial mental health support to veterans and current armed-service members when they return home, Whitehouse’s office announced recently.

The bipartisan bill, drafted with Republican Sen. Joni Ernst of Iowa, would require the Department of Veterans Affairs to ensure that veterans and returning service members are given information on all support services available – including mental health resources – through the Department of Defense’s Transition Assistance Program (TAP).

The bill was named in memory of two Marines who took their own lives: Lance Cpl. Daniel J. Harvey Jr., of Johnston, and Cpl. Adam Lambert of Iowa.

“Service members who return home bearing invisible wounds of war deserve the very best care this nation has to offer,” Whitehouse said. “Johnston’s own Lance Corporal Daniel Harvey Jr. was a hero who our community lost long before his time.  It’s a privilege to introduce this bipartisan legislation in his honor to help save the lives of those who have sacrificed much for our country.”

Harvey was a combat veteran who served in Afghanistan and died in 2015 at the age of 22.

His mother, Debbie Fairman of Providence, said it is critical that troops returning home from military service receive necessary counseling.  June 21 marked the 10-year anniversary of losing her son to suicide, and there were no warning signs, she said in an email.

“I never knew my son was hurting …. (He) had a smile on his face every single day that would light up a room,” she said.  Harvey had attended Johnston High School, where he was captain of the Johnston/North Providence co-op hockey team.  He graduated in 2010 and enlisted in the Marines.

Fairman said Harvey left the Marines in June 2014 and committed suicide one year later.  “There were no signs given at all to myself, other family members or friends, so this was quite shocking to all of us,” she wrote.  “I can’t thank my family and Danny’s friends enough for the outpouring of support that continues to this day.”

According to Whitehouse and Ernst, this bill would reduce veteran suicide by requiring TAP to provide information to retiring service members about the mental-health challenges they may face while transitioning to civilian life.  It would also mandate that veterans be informed about benefits and mental-health services available to them at their local VA medical facility.  

Statistics show that veterans face a 35% higher rate of suicide in the first 12 months after leaving the armed forces, Whitehouse said, quoting information from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

Capt. Erik Wallin, executive director at Operation Stand Down Rhode Island, based in Johnston, said it is essential that there be increased awareness of the suicide risk for veterans and the necessary preventative support be offered to those who have served their country.  Operation Stand Down provides comprehensive services to more than 2,500 veterans each year in Rhode Island.

“Many of these veterans struggle in transitioning from military to civilian life because of mental-health and substance-abuse issues brought on by their time and experiences in service,” Wallin said. “These struggles can often lead to long-term barriers to securing housing, employment, general welfare and, tragically, suicide.”

The bill also has the backing of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. “This bill gives service members the mental health tools they need early, clearly and compassionately to navigate that difficult transition (back to civilian life) and resolve service-related challenges before they become crises,” said Joy Craig, associate director of legislative services for the VFW.

Said Wallin, “Efforts, such as those proposed by U.S. Senators Sheldon Whitehouse and Joni Ernst, focused on increasing the awareness of mental-health services and other resources, particularly at the time of separation from service, are essential in helping the veteran navigate the transition and hopefully return to civilian life with the ability to enjoy the freedom and prosperity they served to secure.”