Magaziner Co-Leads Bipartisan Bill to Combat Veteran Suicide, Improve Mental Health Support

WASHINGTON, DC — Today U.S. Representatives Seth Magaziner (RI-02) and Zach Nunn (IA-03) introduced bipartisan legislation aimed at preventing veteran suicide by strengthening mental health support for servicemembers transitioning to civilian life.

The Daniel J. Harvey and Adam Lambert Improving Servicemember Transition to Reduce Veteran Suicide Act improves two federal programs – the Department of Defense’s Solid Start program and the Department of Veterans Affairs’ Transition Assistance Program (TAP) – to better connect veterans with mental health resources and benefits.

“Our nation has a sacred duty to care for Veterans when they return from service, and that starts with recognizing that the most serious wounds of war are not always visible from the outside,” said Magaziner. “This bipartisan bill improves the VA Solid Start program and DOD Transition Assistance Program by increasing awareness of these mental health resources for servicemembers transitioning to civilian life. This is a necessary and long overdue step toward addressing a mental health crisis that has taken far too many lives.”

“America is the land of the free and home of the brave because of people like Cpl. Adam Lambert. A proud Marine from Iowa, Adam raised his hand to serve our country,” said Nunn. “Unfortunately, too often the transition back to civilian life is more difficult than it should be. In honor of Adam’s memory, I’m grateful to work with Adam’s parents to make the transition easier for America’s veterans by improving mental health services.”

The bill expands TAP to include more support for veterans dealing with PTSD, depression, substance use, and loneliness. It also strengthens Solid Start by increasing outreach and education to veterans on VA benefits and mental health services available to them after service.

The legislation is named in honor of two Marines who served together in Afghanistan: Lance Cpl. Daniel J. Harvey of Johnston, Rhode Island, and Cpl. Adam Lambert of Adel, Iowa. Both died by suicide within a year after returning home from service.

Veteran suicide rates are three times higher in the first year after leaving the military, making the transition period a critical window for intervention. Veterans are often unaware of the support offered to them through the Department of Defense and Department of Veteran Affairs.

Read the full bill here.