From March 03, 2022 post.
As disturbing images surface in the wake of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), a combat veteran who served over 23 years in military uniform, is leading an effort in calling on the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to develop a comprehensive outreach plan to connect veterans—including those experiencing post-traumatic stress—to VA mental health services.
Senator Ernst is joined on the letter by Senators Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), John Thune (R-S.D.), Richard Durbin (D-Ill.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), Martin Heinrich (D-Md.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), and Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.).
Background :
Following President Biden’s disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan, Ernst—a veteran of the Global War on Terrorism— joined Senator Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.) in urging the VA to connect Afghanistan and Global War on Terrorism veterans with the mental health resources they need.
Last fall, after an alarming report revealed a 15% increase in military suicides in 2020 from the year before, Ernst joined Senator Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) in pushing the Pentagon to take immediate action to step up suicide prevention efforts with their bipartisan Save Our Servicemembers (S.O.S.) Act.
Original source can be found here