ICYMI: Rep. Robin Kelly Hosts Veterans Roundtable
Chicago Heights, IL– Congresswoman Robin Kelly (IL-02)led a roundtable at Prairie State College for Veterans and Veteran service organizations from across Illinois' Second Congressional District to discuss Veteran mental health care and the national epidemic of Veteran suicide.
According to the US Veterans Affairs Department, there were over 6,392 veteran suicides in 2021, the second-leading cause of death among veterans under the age of 45-years-old.
In addition to addressing the issue of Veteran mental health, the veterans’ roundtable also examined the new benefits available in the PACT Act for veterans, and legislative efforts to improve upon the Post-9/11 GI Bill.
Attendees discussed ongoing efforts and best practices to support unhoused veterans suffering from mental health conditions like PTSD. They also discussed the need to improve mental health support in the military and end the existing stigma against mental health treatment. In addition, attendees discussed intervention strategies to prevent Veteran suicide and efforts to help Veterans in crisis.
Congresswoman Robin Kelly co-led the bipartisan Solid Start Reporting Act to improve VA mental health care through the Solid Start program. Rep. Kelly is also a cosponsor of the Dental Care for Veterans Act which seeks to expand VA dental care eligibility for Veterans.
"It is unacceptable that those who risked their lives for our country are left without adequate mental health treatment,” said Rep. Robin Kelly. “With over 35,000 veterans in my district, I am honored to engage with our Veterans and their families to learn more about how I can better support them in Washington. I believe that these discussions are critical in our efforts to identify and deploy best practices for Veteran mental health care.”
