Source: United States Senator for Ohio Rob Portman
September 28, 2021 | Press Releases
WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senators Rob Portman (R-OH) and Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ) introduced the Military Suicide Prevention in the 21st Century Act — bipartisan legislation that authorizes a pilot program directing the Department of Defense (DOD) to download Virtual Hope Box, a behavioral health application, onto DOD-issued smart devices (including phones, computers, and tablets) and to use the application during suicide-prevention training. In 2014, the Defense Health Agency created the application, which is scientifically proven to help users cope with unpleasant emotions and thoughts. Virtual Hope Box also includes an easily accessible contact list that users can reach out to for support, and is available for download by anyone with a smart device.
“Our servicemen and women deserve every tool possible to help them cope with any mental health challenges they might face,” said Senator Portman. “The Military Suicide Prevention in the 21st Century Act will establish a pilot program within the DOD to determine if a scientifically vetted smart phone application will have a substantial positive impact on service members’ behavioral health. As suicide rates among service members continue to rise, I encourage my colleagues in Congress to act now in order to do what we can to help counteract this harmful trend.”
“Addressing the national crisis of suicide among military servicemembers requires using every tool available. The Virtual Hope Box represents an innovative technology to provide mental health care and support to Arizona’s troops,” said Sinema, a member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee.
“The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) commends Senator Sinema and Senator Portman for leading legislation to reduce military suicide,” said Laurel Stine, J.D., M.A., Senior Vice President for Public Policy, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. “The Military Suicide Prevention in the 21st Century Act, strongly supported by AFSP, would include crisis resources on Servicemember and Veteran smart devices, as an innovative means to facilitate access to free and confidential support, everyday 24/7, to the Veterans Crisis Line and National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.”
“By requiring the DOD to pre-download the Virtual Hope Box app and the National Suicide Hotlines onto servicemembers government issued smartphones, and also to use them during department-wide annual suicide prevention training, the Military Suicide Prevention in the 21st Century Act would utilize proven technology to help servicemembers cope with stress and easily access mental health resources. Furthermore, in requiring the DOD to continue to work towards identifying other effective technology-based resources, your legislation would ensure that future tools are made available to address the enduring problem of military suicide,” said Dr. Saul M. Levin, CEO and Medical Director of the American Psychiatric Association.
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