President Announces Open Season On Combat Veterans

By James Smith

1 Sept 2012

The White House Briefing Room released another Executive Order, this time to “help” veterans who may be suffering from mental health issues. And in doing so, adds to the government payroll future union members and drains on the American economy.

For Immediate Release                                                                      August 31, 2012

EXECUTIVE ORDER

IMPROVING ACCESS TO MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES FOR VETERANS, SERVICE MEMBERS, AND MILITARY FAMILIES

There have many stories on how veterans have been “helped” by the VA and other hospitals. It’s the kind of help no one wants.

Mr. Obama wants to see by the end of this year, a full 50% increase in Veteran Crisis Line employees. And the funny thing about governments, they want to see a return on investment. Even if they are running at a loss.

Further, veterans can let someone know they are having problems by using insecure means of communication such as phone texts and online chats.

Sec. 2.  Suicide Prevention.  (a)  By December 31, 2012, the Department of Veterans Affairs, in continued collaboration with the Department of Health and Human Services, shall expand the capacity of the Veterans Crisis Line by 50 percent to ensure that veterans have timely access, including by telephone, text, or online chat, to qualified, caring responders who can help address immediate crises and direct veterans to appropriate care.  Further, the Department of Veterans Affairs shall ensure that any veteran identifying him or herself as being in crisis connects with a mental health professional or trained mental health worker within 24 hours.  The Department of Veterans Affairs also shall expand the number of mental health professionals who are available to see veterans beyond traditional business hours.

The government will also being hiring 2,400 counselors and mental health professionals, many who would start at about $80k a year, and would pay off the new employees student loans to make this all happen. Student loans for such professionals would range between $150,000 to $200,00.