President Signs Veterans Suicide Prevention Act

Schizophenia is a significant health problem among US combat veterans. A 1999 study found that 4.7% of clients of the Veterans Health Affairs system were diagnosed with schizophrenia. On November 5, President Bush signed into law the Joshua Omvig Suicide Prevention Bill. Named for a 22 year old soldier who committed suicide after returning from Iraq, the bill places a suicide prevention counselor at each VA facility, requires mental health training for all VA staff, supports education and outreach programs for veterans and families, and funds suicide prevention research.