Fairfield Reporter

The Ohio Senate has passed Senate Resolution 21, an initiative brought forth by State Senator Tim Schaffer (R-Lancaster), aiming to advocate for enhanced mental health services for veterans. The resolution calls on Congress to ensure timely and comprehensive mental health care for veterans across the nation.

"This is an issue that was brought to my attention by one of my constituents who is a veteran," Senator Schaffer remarked. "When it comes to our nation’s military personnel and veterans, we should expect complete and full medical care for those men and women who sacrificed their health and well being in service to their country."

Recent data highlights the critical nature of this issue. The United Service Organizations, Inc. (USO) reported that suicide rates among active-duty military personnel reached unprecedented levels in 2021, marking a fourfold increase since the events of September 11, 2001. The Brown University's Watson Institute for International and Public Affairs further underscores the gravity of the situation, with 30,177 active-duty military personnel and veterans who served post-9/11 having died by suicide, significantly surpassing the 7,057 service members who perished in combat over the same time frame.

Senate Resolution 21 not only aims to sway Congress but also urges the Veterans Affairs (VA) to prioritize the use of licensed medical professionals proficient in treating conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other stress-related disorders prevalent among veterans. Furthermore, the resolution seeks to broaden VA health care benefits eligibility to include individuals discharged with any condition, excluding those dishonorably dismissed.