I 112th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 1284 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES March 31, 2011 Mr. Baca introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Armed Services A BILL To amend title 10, United States Code, to enhance the suicide prevention program of the Department of Defense by specifically requiring suicide prevention training during recruit basic training, preseparation counseling, and mental health assessments.
1.
Short title
This Act may be cited as the Armed Forces Suicide Prevention Act of 2011.
2.
Enhancement of suicide prevention program of the Department of Defense
(a)
Enhancement
The Secretary of Defense shall take appropriate actions to enhance the suicide prevention program of the Department of Defense through the provision of suicide prevention information and resources to members of the Armed Forces from their initial enlistment or appointment through their final retirement or separation. (b)
Cooperative effort
The Secretary of Defense shall develop suicide prevention information and resources in consultation with— (1)the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, the National Institute of Mental Health, and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration of the Department of Health and Human Services; and (2)to the extent appropriate, institutions of higher education and other public and private entities, including international entities, with expertise regarding suicide prevention.
3.
Suicide prevention training component during recruit basic training
(a)
Army
(1)
Training required
Chapter 401 of title 10, United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 4320 the following new section:
4320a.
Recruit basic training: availability of suicide prevention resources
(a)
Availability
As part of the initial entry training program of the Army that constitutes the basic training of new recruits, the Secretary of the Army shall include a training component on suicide prevention. (b)
Elements
The suicide prevention training component shall include the following: (1)Methods for recognizing risk factors for suicide. (2)Protocols for responding to crisis situations involving members who may be at high risk for suicide. (3)Information about suicide prevention services available to members, including toll-free hotlines and Internet resources. (4)Information on best practices for suicide prevention.
. (2)
Clerical amendment
The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 4320 the following new item: 4320a. Recruit basic training: availability of suicide prevention resources. . (b)
Navy and Marine Corps
(1)
Training required
Chapter 602 of such title is amended by adding at the end the following new section:
6933.
Recruit basic training: availability of suicide prevention resources
(a)
Availability
As part of the initial entry training program of the Navy and the Marine Corps that constitutes the basic training of new recruits, the Secretary of the Navy shall include a training component on suicide prevention. (b)
Elements
The suicide prevention training component shall include the following: (1)Methods for recognizing risk factors for suicide. (2)Protocols for responding to crisis situations involving members who may be at high risk for suicide. (3)Information about suicide prevention services available to members, including toll-free hotlines and Internet resources. (4)Information on best practices for suicide prevention.
. (2)
Clerical amendment
The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter is amended by adding at the end the following new item: 602. Recruit basic training: availability of suicide prevention resources. . (c)
Air Force
(1)
Training required
Chapter 901 of such title is amended by inserting after section 9320 the following new section:
9320a.
Recruit basic training: availability of suicide prevention resources
(a)
Availability
As part of the initial entry training program of the Air Force that constitutes the basic training of new recruits, the Secretary of the Air Force shall include a training component on suicide prevention. (b)
Elements
The suicide prevention training component shall include the following: (1)Methods for recognizing risk factors for suicide. (2)Protocols for responding to crisis situations involving members who may be at high risk for suicide. (3)Information about suicide prevention services available to members, including toll-free hotlines and Internet resources. (4)Information on best practices for suicide prevention.
. (2)
Clerical amendment
The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 4320 the following new item: 4320a. Recruit basic training: availability of suicide prevention resources. .
4.
Notice of availability of and access to suicide prevention resources during preseparation counseling
Section 1142(b)(8) of title 10, United States Code, is amended by inserting before the period the following: and the availability to the member and the member’s family of the suicide prevention resources described in section 1177(d) of this title.
5.
Notice of availability of and access to suicide prevention resources during medical examination to evaluate a diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder or traumatic brain injury
Section 1177 of title 10, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection: (d)
Availability of suicide prevention resources
(1)The medical examination required by subsection (a) shall include the provision of information to the member regarding the availability of the suicide prevention resources described in paragraph (2) and the right of the member to access such resources. (2)The suicide prevention resources available under paragraph (1) shall include the following: (A)Methods for recognizing risk factors for suicide. (B)Protocols for responding to crisis situations involving members who may be at high risk for suicide. (C)Information about suicide prevention services available to members, including toll-free hotlines and Internet resources. (D)Information on best practices for suicide prevention. .