Senator Schaffer urges Congress to enhance mental health care for veterans and military personnel

The Ohio Senate convened on March 26, 2025, to discuss Senate Resolution 21, which urges Congress to provide prompt and comprehensive mental health treatment for military personnel and veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other service-related stress disorders. Senator Schaffer, who introduced the resolution, highlighted alarming statistics regarding mental health issues among veterans, including a significant rise in suicide rates among active-duty military members.

Senator Schaffer emphasized the need for qualified mental health professionals to treat veterans, criticizing the current practice of allowing untrained individuals to make treatment decisions. He noted that the resolution also calls for the Department of Defense to consider mental health conditions before separating service members for misconduct and to ensure that veterans discharged under conditions other than dishonorable can access healthcare benefits.

The resolution has garnered support from organizations such as the Veterans of Foreign Wars Department of Ohio and the American Legion Department of Ohio, with no opposition reported. Schaffer acknowledged the contributions of his aides and a constituent who brought the issue to his attention.

During the meeting, Senator Weinstein proposed an amendment to the resolution, expressing concern over the planned layoffs of 80,000 employees at the Department of Veterans Affairs, including mental health professionals. Weinstein argued that reducing the number of mental health providers would be detrimental to veterans, especially given the high suicide rates among this population. He urged his colleagues to protect existing mental health resources while advocating for expanded services.

The discussions underscored the urgent need for improved mental health care for veterans, as the Senate prepares to vote on the resolution and the proposed amendment. The outcome of this meeting could have significant implications for the future of mental health support for Ohio's military personnel and veterans.