WASHINGTON – The U.S. Senate unanimously passed bipartisan legislation introduced by U.S. Senators Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), a combat veteran, and Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), a member of the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, that would direct the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to designate one week per year as “Buddy Check Week” to organize outreach events and educate veterans on how to conduct peer wellness checks.

“Too often, the men and women who have served our country in combat face mental health challenges when returning to civilian life,” said Senator Ernst. “As a combat veteran myself, I’ve helped lead efforts to improve mental health services for our veterans and was proud to get this bipartisan bill passed out of the Senate unanimously today. I’ll keep pushing to get this important legislation signed into law to allow more veterans the opportunity to learn how to conduct peer wellness checks so they can check in with their fellow veterans and help get them the care and support they need.” (Continue reading here…)