Senator Hassan Hosts Conversation with North Country Veterans on Improving Mental Health Care Resources

LITTLETON - U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan hosted a conversation with veterans in Littleton last week. The conversation, which included North Country veterans who lead Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs) and veteran-to-veteran peer support groups, focused on improving mental health resources for veterans and removing the barriers and stigma to getting that care, as well as how to better support VSOs and peer support groups.

"It was great to join veterans in Littleton to discuss how we can better support veterans in the North Country and beyond," said Senator Hassan. "From mental health care to bolstering our service organizations, it's clear that while we've made a lot of progress, there is also more we must do - and I will keep working to tackle the challenges that veterans face in New Hampshire and across the country."

Senator Hassan has led bipartisan efforts to support service members, veterans, and their families. Senator Hassan helped develop and pass into law the PACT Act, which fundamentally reforms and improves how veterans exposed to toxic substances receive health care and benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Senator Hassan also introduced and helped pass into law bipartisan legislation to strengthen the Solid Start program, through which VA employees contact every veteran three times by phone in the first year after veterans leave active duty service to check in and help connect these new veterans to VA programs and benefits. Additionally, Senator Hassan's bipartisan bill directing the VA to designate one week per year as "Buddy Check Week" to organize outreach events and educate veterans on how to conduct peer wellness checks was signed into law in 2022, and it was held October 16^th to 20^th for the first time last year. The VA will again hold Buddy Check Week this year from October 21^st to 25^th.

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