This week Senator Kyrsten Sinema cosponsored bipartisan legislation, Bill SB544. The bill increases mental health awareness for veterans by establishing a “Buddy Check Week,” helping the VA collaborate with partners to train and organize outreach for veterans to learn how to conduct wellness checks on other veterans and educate veterans on support services.
The legislation, sponsored by 20 senators, instructs the VA Secretary to designate one week each year as “Buddy Check Week.” During “Buddy Check Week,” the VA would work with Veteran Service Organizations, nonprofits, mental health experts, and other relevant entities to organize outreach events and educate veterans on how to conduct peer wellness checks.
Last year, Sgt. Daniel Somers Veterans Network of Support Act was signed into law and requires the VA to pilot a program creating networks of support for service members transitioning to civilian life. The legislation was named after Arizona veteran Sergeant Daniel Somers and was passed through Congress as part of the Veterans Compact Law. The Veterans Compact Law implements programs, policies, and reports related to Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) transition assistance, suicide care, mental health education and treatment, health care, and women veteran care.
Sinema posted on Twitter, “We introduced a bipartisan bill to increase mental health awareness for veterans by establishing a “Buddy Check Week,” helping the VA and non-profit partners conduct wellness checks on veterans.”
We introduced a bipartisan bill to increase mental health awareness for veterans by establishing a “Buddy Check Week,” helping the VA and non-profit partners conduct wellness checks on veterans. https://t.co/SgLc0YISlb
— Kyrsten Sinema (@SenatorSinema) June 29, 2021
The American Legion supports this legislation. The organization commented on Twitter, “A VA-run National ‘Buddy Check Week’ will reach, support & aid significantly more #veterans than The American Legion would otherwise be able to do on its own. Getting this bill signed into law remains one of our top legislative priorities.”
“A VA-run National ‘Buddy Check Week’ will reach, support & aid significantly more #veterans than The American Legion would otherwise be able to do on its own. Getting this bill signed into law remains one of our top legislative priorities." https://t.co/S7jNHVIttU #BuddyChecks
— The American Legion (@AmericanLegion) June 28, 2021
Other sponsors include Joni Ernst, Bernie Sanders, Christopher Coons, Dan Sullivan, Jacky Rosen, John Barrasso, Kevin Cramer, Kirsten Gillibrand, Margaret Wood Hassan, Maria Cantwell, Marsha Blackburn, Mazie Hirono, Michael Bennet, Mike Rounds, Patty Murray, Richard Blumenthal, Shelley Moore Capito, Thom Tillis, and Tom Cotton.
