WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) and Angus King (I-ME) introduced a resolution establishing June 14th as “Vets Get Outside Day” to support veterans struggling with mental health challenges. Over 460,000 veterans were diagnosed with traumatic brain injuries between 2020 and 2024, and there were 6,146 veteran suicide deaths in 2020. This is the third year that Cassidy has led the introduction.
“Resuming civilian life can be isolating. When veterans stay active and connected with their community, their mental health and quality of life improve. That is what today is all about,” said Dr. Cassidy.
“From beach walks on the rocky coast to a challenging hike in the woods, Maine’s extraordinary outdoor spaces can bring moments of calm during the most difficult times,” said Senator King. “I hope that ‘Vets Get Outside Day’ will encourage Maine veterans to find a relaxing outdoor space that helps them process their daily stressors. It’s a simple way to promote two of Maine’s greatest treasures — the great outdoors and our brave veterans.”
Veterans in crisis can dial 9-8-8 and then press 1 to be connected with the Veterans Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
Background
As a member of the U.S. Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, Cassidy is a champion of veteran issues. In February, Cassidy introduced the VetPAC Act and the Veterans Mental Health and Addiction Therapy Quality of Care Act to improve health care for veterans. In January, Cassidy reintroduced the Restore VA Accountability Act to strengthen accountability by unlocking expedited disciplinary processes for U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs employees who fail to adequately serve veterans.
In December 2024, the Senate passed Cassidy’s Veteran Service Organization (VSO) Equal Tax Treatment (VETT) Act, sending the bill to the president’s desk. The bill would expand the deductibility of charitable contributions to all federally chartered tax-exempt organizations serving current and former members of the Armed Forces. The Senate also unanimously passed Cassidy’s Gold Star and Surviving Spouse Career Services Act. The legislation increases access to job counseling services for spouses of members of the Armed Forces who died while on active duty through the Disabled Veterans Outreach Program at the U.S. Department of Labor.
In August 2024, Cassidy penned an op-ed in the American Press highlighting federal resources that support American veterans’ physical and mental health. The op-ed came on the heels of the 43rd National Veteran Wheelchair Games, which were hosted in New Orleans.
In 2022, the Senate unanimously passed Cassidy’s Solid Start Act to strengthen the VA’s Solid Start program to contact every veteran three times by phone in the first year after they leave active duty. The program helps connect veterans with VA programs and benefits, including mental health resources.
Cassidy also introduced the Mental Health Reform Reauthorization Act of 2022 to reauthorize and improve Cassidy’s historic 2016 mental health reform package.
###