Suicide prevention legislation now law

In 2013, 132 U.S. servicemembers died in combat operations. During the same span of time, more than three and a half times that number died by their own hands.

Sen. Joe Donnelly, D-Ind., is hoping legislation that was signed into law Dec. 19 can cut that number down considerably – and eventually reduce it to zero.

The Jacob Sexton Military Suicide Prevention Act – part of the National Defense Authorization Act signed into law by President Obama last week – includes language that will require all members of the U.S. military – active, National Guard and reserve – to receive annual mental health assessments beginning in 2015.

During a press conference in Indianapolis on the day the legislation was signed, Donnelly said measures had to be taken to deeply cut into the number of military suicides occurring annually – until that number eventually reaches zero.

“We have to end this scourge,” Donnelly said. “We seek to prevent another servicemember’s family from experiencing the tragedy of suicide.”

Donnelly was flanked by Jeff and Barb Sexton, the parents of the National Guardsmen for whom the legislation is named. Jacob was an Indiana National Guardsman who took his own life during a 15-day leave from Afghanistan.

“The day they passed the bill would have been Jacob’s 27th birthday,” Jeff said. “I can’t think of a better birthday present for him. Hopefully this will bring a change to the stigma and bring out the help our men and women need.”

The legislation also requires an evaluation of existing mental health practices and provides measures to keep the privacy of servicemembers who seek mental health care. The language of the Sexton legislation is supported by the Legion’s Resolution 292, passed during the 2014 National Convention in August 2014.

Donnelly said the legislation simply is honoring a pact made with those who take the oath of service.

“It is important to our nation,” he said. “It is important to every single family that their brother or sister, their husband or wife, loved one – both those who have deployed and those who are not deployed – that they be able to live out their life with their family in peace and in happiness. That they not feel the stigma about searching for help and having someone to talk to. We owe them.”