IMPROVING ACCESS TO MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES FOR VETERANS, SERVICE MEMBERS, AND MILITARY FAMILIES

The last clause, (c)iii, was included in response to the efforts of Honor for ALL and the letter to President Barak Obama requesting the formation of a Federal Advisory Committee to direct and advise on the emotional health of Veterans and their families.

Sec. 6. Military and Veterans Mental Health Interagency Task Force. There is established an Interagency Task Force on Military and Veterans Mental Health (Task Force), to be co chaired by the Secretaries of Defense, Veterans Affairs, and Health and Human Services, or their designated representatives.

(a) Membership. In addition to the Co-Chairs, the Task Force shall consist of representatives from:

               (i) the Department of Education;

               (ii) the Office of Management and Budget;

               iii) the Domestic Policy Council;

               (iv) the National Security Staff;

               (v) the Office of Science and Technology Policy;

               (vi) the Office of National Drug Control Policy; and

               (vii) such other executive departments, agencies, or offices as the Co-Chairs may designate.

A member agency of the Task Force shall designate a full time officer or employee of the Federal Government to perform the Task Force functions.

(b) Mission. Member agencies shall review relevant statutes, policies, and agency training and guidance to identify reforms and take actions that facilitate implementation of the strategies outlined in this order. Member agencies shall work collaboratively on these strategies and also create an inventory of mental health and substance abuse programs and activities to inform this work.

(c) Functions.

               i) Not later than 180 days after the date of this order, the Task Force shall submit recommendations to the President on strategies to improve mental health and substance abuse treatment services for veterans, service members, and their families. Every year thereafter, the Task Force shall provide to the President a review of agency actions to enhance mental health and substance abuse treatment services for veterans, service members, and their families consistent with this order, as well as provide additional recommendations for action as appropriate. The Task Force shall define specific goals and metrics that will aid in measuring progress in improving mental health strategies. The Task Force will include cost analysis in the development of all recommendations, and will ensure any new requirements are supported within existing resources.

               ii) In addition to coordinating and reviewing agency efforts to enhance veteran and military mental health services pursuant to this order, the Task Force shall evaluate:

1) agency efforts to improve care quality and ensure that the Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs and community based mental health providers are trained in the most most current evidence-based methodologies for treating PTSD, TBI, depression, related mental healthconditions, and substance abuse;

2) agency efforts to improve awareness and reduce stigma for those needing to seek care; and

 3) agency research efforts to improve the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of TBI, PTSD, and related injuries, and explore the need for an external research portfolio review.

               iii) In performing its functions, the Task Force shall consult with relevant nongovernmental experts and organizations as necessary.