Seth Moulton is a father, a husband, a Marine, and a Democrat with a mission to bring a new generation of leaders to Congress.He was first challenged to serve our country by the pastor of his college church, Reverend Peter Gomes, who told him that it’s not enough simply to salute the flag—everyone should find a way to serve. As a result, Seth joined the United States Marine Corps in 2001, days after graduating from college and months before the attacks on 9/11. As the leader of an infantry platoon, he was among the first Americans to reach Baghdad in 2003. He served four tours in Iraq, a war he disagreed with and spoke out against—but he was proud to go, so no one had to go in his place.
Our veterans sacrifice so much to take care of us overseas, so it’s our responsibility to ensure they are taken care of when they return home.
Veterans are at high risk of facing mental health challenges: 50% of veterans who struggle with post-traumatic stress (PTS) don’t get help, and 22 veterans or active-duty service members commit suicide every day.
My plan to make mental health check-ups as routine as a physical for active-duty military and veterans would:
Require annual mental health check-ups just like annual physicals. Mindfulness training is preventative medicine as pioneered today by the special operations community and other elite units.
In addition, require a mandatory counseling session for everyone returning from a combat deployment within two weeks of arriving home.
Fill all mental health vacancies at the VA and adopt a more holistic approach to treatment, including alternative therapies like mindfulness, exercise, and cannabis. Fund an ad campaign for veterans’ families to recognize mental health symptoms.