The Erie County Legislature has approved a resolution urging the United States Senate to take immediate action to approve the “Clay Hunt SAV Act,” which would provide servicemen and women better mental health care.

The bill would specifically emphasize the need for better evaluation and treatment of psychiatric conditions through the VA and as a result would reduce the suffering of thousands of service members. The Clay Hunt Act calls for speeding up access to mental health care to veterans, including reservists, boosting VA efforts to hire more psychiatrists, and review all current VA mental health programs for effectiveness.

“The Legislature unanimously approved a resolution strongly urging the Senate to approve the Clay Hunt SAV Act and ensure that our heroes are receiving the best care possible. A reported 8,000 soldiers commit suicide each year. That number is incredibly troubling and experts in the field believe the merits of this bill can properly address failures in the system that lead to a high rate of veterans taking their own lives,” said Chairman John Mills. 

There is a great need for improved mental health care. An estimated 600,000 soldiers suffer from traumatic brain injury, post-traumatic stress disorder and depression.

The Act is named after Clay Hunt, a Marine who served in Iraq and Afghanistan. He was wounded during his service and diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder. He became active in helping other veterans, including as a member of Team Rubicon, a non-profit group organization that puts skilled veterans together with first responders to aid in national or international catastrophes and emergencies. Hunt was 28 when he committed suicide in March of 2011.

Currently, the bill has been delayed in the Senate and supporters are hoping to bring it up for a vote in 2015. The resolution of support from the Erie County Legislature will be forwarded to Senator Charles Schumer and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand.