A Proposed Law Would Let Troops Get Mental Healthcare
The Navy failed Brandon Caserta. Now lawmakers want to help other service members from dying by suicide.
The Navy was forcing Caserta to spend another year in a rating he hated under a toxic supervisor, who constantly bullied him and insulted him for not completing SEAL training because he broke his leg during Basic Underwater Demolition School, Patricia Kime of Military.com first reported.
On June 25, 2018, Brandon Caserta left notes for his family and friends and then threw himself into a helicopter’s spinning tail rotor. He was one of 68 active-duty sailors and 11 reservists who died by suicide that year – a new record high.
Now two years after Brandon Caserta’s death, Rep. Seth Moulton (D-Mass.), a Marine veteran, has introduced the “Brandon Act,” a piece of legislation that is meant to make sure that other service members finding themselves trapped in abusive commands can get lifesaving assistance.
Introduced on Thursday, the legislation would allow service members to receive a confidential mental health evaluation that would not require their commands to be notified, similar to the restricted reporting procedures for sexual assault victims.
“Brandon tragically lost his life because he wasn’t able to get support for his mental health — something we should provide every American, especially every American hero in uniform,” Moulton told Task & Purpose in a statement.
“This bill will ensure our service members can get help and have no fear of retaliation for doing so, as it’s the right thing to do. Although we’ll never get Brandon back, his legacy will be the lives of many more great Americans he saves through this bill, and I’m proud of his parents who have fought so hard to tell his story and make this change.”
By saying a phrase, such as “Brandon Act,” troops would be able to self-report that they need immediate help.
Read entire article: https://taskandpurpose.com/military-life/brandon-act-military-suicides-prevention/
