Booker, Menendez Introduce Amendment to Preserve NJ Veterans Suicide Prevention Program

Today, U.S. Sens. Cory Booker and Robert Menendez ‎(D-NJ), introduced an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act to prevent the closure of the Vets4Warriors program, a Pentagon-funded call center operated by Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care in Piscataway, New Jersey, that provides members of the US armed forces with confidential peer support services administered by veterans.

"No one understands the ongoing psychological, emotional, and physical challenges endured by our brave servicemen and women more than veterans who have walked in their shoes." said Sen. Booker. "The Vets4Warriors call center is a life-saving peer support system that is critical to the long-term wellness of our veterans and our men and women in uniform. That's why I am committed to ensuring the Vets4Warriors program continues its mission for New Jersey's courageous veterans, service members, and their families."

"It's shocking and shameful to pull the rug out from our military troops struggling with depression, stress and suicide by torpedoing a vital program that saves lives," said Sen. Menendez. "Vets4Warriors has given thousands of our men and women serving in defense of this nation the critical counseling and support services they need on the battlefield from individuals who have walked in their shoes. In an over $500 billion budget, it is unconscionable to think that the Department of Defense would target a $5.5 million program that has been proven effective, honors our troops, saves their lives and employs returning veterans in the name of "efficiency'. That's why Senator Booker and I have introduced this amendment to do all we can to keep this essential service operating, and ensure our heroes sent into harm's way know we have their backs when they need it most."

The Booker-Menendez amendment prohibits the Secretary of Defense from terminating the Vets4Warriors program unless the Secretary determines, through a public process, that members of the Armed Forces will receive adequate mental health care and resources in the absence of the program. The Booker-Menendez amendment also requires the Secretary of Defense to evaluate the effectiveness of peer-to-peer counseling in assisting service members and their families.

Last month, Sens. Booker and Menendez joined U.S. Reps. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ-09), Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ-06) Frank LoBiondo (R-NJ-02) and Tom MacArthur (R-NJ-03) in urging U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) Secretary Ashton Carter to reconsider DoD's decision to shut down the successful Vets4Warriors program.

The Vets4Warriors (V4W) peer helpline offers 24/7 live veteran support to veterans, active duty service members, and their families in a confidential environment. The program employs forty veterans and four licensed mental health clinicians. Since December 2011, the V4W program has had over 130,000 contacts with service members and their families. V4W Veteran Peers provide referrals for issues that require specific expertise, such as financial resources, legal advice or medical services. The V4W Veteran Peers work to find the best options for an individual caller and help make the connection in their local communities. Ninety-five percent of the V4W program peers are veterans themselves.

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