I 111th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 2836 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES June 11, 2009 Mr. Hodes (for himself and Ms. Shea-Porter) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Armed Services A BILL To amend the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 to improve and expand suicide prevention and community healing and response training under the Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program.

1.

Short Title

This Act may be cited as The National Guard and Reservist Suicide Prevention and Community Response Act.

2.

Expansion of suicide prevention and community healing and response training under the Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program

Section 582 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 (Public Law 110–181; 122 Stat. 122) is amended— (1)in subsection (h)— (A)by striking paragraph (3); and (B)by redesignating paragraphs (4) through (15) as paragraphs (3) through (14), respectively; and (2)by adding at the end the following new subsection: (i)

Suicide Prevention and Community Healing and Response Program

(1)

Establishment

As part of the Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program, the Office for Reintegration Programs shall establish a program to provide National Guard and Reserve members, their families, and their communities with training in suicide prevention and community healing and response to suicide. (2)

Design

In establishing the program under paragraph (1), the Office for Reintegration Programs shall— (A)consult with— (i)officials associated with the Connect program of the National Alliance on Mental Illness New Hampshire; and (ii)the adjutant general of each state, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the District of Columbia, Guam, and the Virgin Islands; and (B)model the program after the Connect program of the National Alliance on Mental Illness New Hampshire. (3)

Operation

(A)

Suicide Prevention Training

The Office for Reintegration Programs shall provide National Guard and Reserve members with training in suicide prevention. Such training shall include— (i)describing the warning signs for suicide and teaching effective strategies for prevention and intervention; (ii)examining the influence of military culture on risk and protective factors for suicide; and (iii)engaging in interactive case scenarios and role plays to practice effective intervention strategies. (B)

Community Healing and Response Training

The Office for Reintegration Programs shall provide the families and communities of National Guard and Reserve members with training in responses to suicide that promote individual and community healing. Such training shall include— (i)enhancing collaboration among community members and local service providers to create an integrated, coordinated community response to suicide; (ii)communicating best practices for preventing suicide, including safe messaging, appropriate memorial services, and media guidelines; (iii)addressing the impact of suicide on the military and the larger community, and the increased risk that can result; and (iv)managing resources to assist key community and military service providers in helping the families, friends, and fellow soldiers of a suicide victim through the processes of grieving and healing. (C)

Collaboration with Centers of Excellence

The Office for Reintegration Programs, in consultation with the Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury, shall collect and analyze lessons learned and suggestions from State National Guard and Reserve organizations with existing or developing suicide prevention and community response programs. (4)

Authorization of Appropriations

There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this subsection $15,000,000 for each fiscal year beginning with fiscal year 2010. .