16
Feb
2015
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - Because of the continued high number of veterans who succumb to suicide, state Rep. Mike Smiddy, D-Hillsdale, is sponsoring legislation to investigate ways the state can provide former service member with the help they need.
"After veterans serve our country abroad, they may have trouble readjusting to civilian life when they return home, and too often these issues go unaddressed and can have tragic consequences for veterans and their families," Smiddy said. "We owe it to Illinois veterans to learn the causes behind the high rate of suicide for service men and women and the best way to address them."
On average, 22 veterans committed suicide in the United States every day in 2010, according to a 2012 report issued by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The suicide rate for veterans in Illinois was twice the rate for civilians between 2005 and 2011. This represents a problem in the way Illinois treats emotional and psychological issues for returning veterans. The Illinois Taskforce on Veterans' Suicide was established in 2014 and Smiddy is cosponsoring legislation, House Joint Resolution 4, that allows the group to continue their work and requires they submit their recommendations by December 21, 2016.
"This task force is charged with the important task of recommending best practices for the care of our veterans, and I'm looking forward to reviewing their recommendations and finding ways to provide high quality services to returning veterans," Smiddy said. "I'll continue to support every effort to ensure Illinois veterans receive the care they deserve when returning home."
House Joint Resolution 4 was introduced in January and will be sent to a House committee for consideration.
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