{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["http://higgins.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/congressman-higgins-announces-approval-of-the-clay-hunt-suicide", "Congressman Higgins Announces Approval of the Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for American Veterans Act", "2014-12-09", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "NY", "Brian Higgins", "H001038", "higgins.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-26) announced approval of H.R. 5059, the Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention Act for American Veterans (SAV) Act.\u00a0 This legislation creates a comprehensive community response for coordinated mental health care at Veterans Hospitals across the country.\u00a0 Congressman Higgins cosponsored this legislation.\n\u201cThousands of men and women devote their lives every day to serve our country,\u201d said Congressman Higgins. \u201cWe cannot turn our backs on these individuals.\u00a0 This legislation is a step forward to protecting the safety of these service men and women.\u201d \u00a0\nThe Clay Hunt SAV Act is a first step to mitigate the tragic amount of suicides committed by veterans every day.\u00a0 The legislation requires the Veterans Administration (VA) to develop an interactive website for mental health services to better facilitate coordinated care.\u00a0 It also requires a third party to annually evaluate both the Department of Defense (DoD) and the VA mental health and suicide prevention programs.\u00a0 And finally, to address the lack of mental health professions currently serving the VA, the bill provides an education loan repayment pilot program to individuals pursuing psychiatric services and working at VHA hospitals.\nSince 2001, over two million US soldiers have served in combat in Afghanistan and Iraq.\u00a0 An estimated 600,000 soldiers have a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) or depression.\u00a0 Approximately 22 veterans commit suicide every day, totaling 8,000 veterans each year.\u00a0\nNew York State is home to more than 800,000 veterans and the 26th Congressional District alone is home to almost 50,000 veterans.\u00a0 Congressman Higgins has made veterans affairs one of his top priorities since joining the House of Representatives. \u00a0\nAny veteran suffering from severe depression and thoughts of suicide are encouraged to call the 24 hour Veteran Crisis Line at 1-800-273-8255, press 1 for immediate assistance.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["http://higgins.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/congressman-higgins-announces-approval-of-the-clay-hunt-suicide"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.1149276979267597, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}