Peace Garden News

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) joined two of his Veterans’ Affairs Committee colleagues, Senators Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) and Angus King (I-ME), in introducing a resolution designating June 10 “Vets Get Outside Day.” The legislation aims to encourage veterans experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), traumatic brain injury, depression, anxiety, or other mental health challenges to walk, run, hike, bike, and spend more time outdoors.

“Fresh air and nature are often the best medicine, and there’s no better place to take advantage of outdoor opportunities than North Dakota,” said Senator Cramer. “To combat veteran suicides, our resolution recognizes the positive impacts nature therapies can have on our veterans.”

“We owe it to the men and women who traveled oceans to protect us to address the veteran suicide crisis,” said Dr. Cassidy. “Vets Get Outside Day is a positive step towards ensuring veterans know they have the help they need available to them.”

“From beach walks to fishing trips to simply hearing a refreshing breeze in the forest, America’s extraordinary outdoor spaces can bring moments of calm during the most difficult times,” said Senator King. “I hope that ‘Vets Get Outside Day’ this year will encourage our veterans to find a relaxing outdoor space near them. It’s a simple way to promote the great outdoors and help these brave men and women who may be struggling with mental health conditions.”

Click here for text of the resolution.

Background:

Last Congress, Senator Cramer successfully led legislation which codified the Solid Start Program, requiring the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) conduct outreach among veterans leaving active-study service to connect them with VA benefits. He also introduced the REMOVE Copays Act, a bipartisan bill to improve veterans’ access to copay-free mental health and substance abuse care through VA and community providers for their first three outpatient visits each year.

Nearly 460,000 veterans were diagnosed with traumatic brain injuries between 2020 and 2022, and there were 6,146 veteran suicide deaths in 2020. Veterans in crisis can dial 9-8-8 and then press 1 to be connected with the Veterans Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.

Original source can be found here.