Representative Craig Helps Pass Bipartisan Legislation to Expand Mental Health Resources for Veterans

Press Release

Today, U.S. Representative Angie Craig helped secure the House passage of the bipartisan Supporting the Resilience of our Nation's Great Veterans (STRONG) Act of 2022. The STRONG Act will give the Department of Veterans' Affairs (VA) new authorities and resources to support veterans' mental health and wellbeing through increased training, outreach, mental health care delivery and research.

"When our veterans return home, they deserve access to the best health care and treatment that our nation can provide," said Representative Craig. "But unfortunately, many veterans struggle to access the care that they've earned after years of serving this nation. That's why I'm so proud to help pass this critical legislation, which will give the VA the resources it needs to ensure that every single veteran is able to access the mental health care they deserve -- whenever and wherever they need it."

The STRONG Act includes a number of bipartisan, bicameral proposals that will strengthen VA's mental health and suicide prevention programs. The bill will improve the quality of mental health care that veterans are able to access through VA services, update training for the VA workforce and Veterans' Crisis Line staff, implement a number of new pilot programs, engage veterans with peer specialists, increase staffing at VA medical centers, and provide outreach to veterans regarding the mental health resources available in their communities.

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