WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump on Tuesday signed an executive orderdirecting government departments to try to prevent suicide among militaryveterans by treating mental health problems before they become more serious.
Trump´s order directs the departments of Defense, Homeland Security andVeterans Affairs to ensure all uniformed service members have access tomental health treatment and suicide prevention resources in the first yearfollowing military service.
“They get out of the military and they have nobody to talk to,” Trump saidas he signed the order. “It´s a very sad situation.
“Veterans Affairs Secretary David Shulkin said the White House wants toaddress an alarming trend, that of 20 veterans a day taking their own life.
“That 12-month period after you leave service is the highest risk forsuicide,” Shulkin told reporters.
Currently, only 40 percent of military members have mental health coverage,he said.
The new order will cost about $200 million year to implement, money thatwill be diverted from the agencies´ current budgets, a senioradministration official said.