[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 131 (Friday, September 11, 2015)]
[House]
[Page H5971]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     WORLD SUICIDE PREVENTION WEEK

  (Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania asked and was given permission to 
address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in 
recognition of National Suicide Prevention Week.
  Unfortunately, in the past several years, we have witnessed an 
increase in suicides among our Active-Duty members of the Armed Forces 
and our veterans populations.
  Prior to my tenure in Congress, I served nearly three decades 
addressing the mental health needs of individuals who have suffered 
life-changing disease and disability. This is an issue I remain 
passionate about, particularly when addressing the mental health of 
those who place their lives on the line in serving this great Nation.
  Mr. Speaker, I remain confident this body can do right by our 
servicemembers and veterans. A part of that is advancing the Medical 
Evaluation Parity for Servicemembers Act, which is intended to improve 
suicide prevention by instituting a mental health assessment for all 
new military recruits, which will then be used as a baseline throughout 
their military careers. This was included in the 2016 National Defense 
Authorization.
  Our dedication to this cause is the least we can do for those who 
have sacrificed so much for their Nation.

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