IN THE NEWS: Kelly Backed “Brandon Act” Passes in Annual Defense Bill
In case you missed it, last week, Arizona Senator Mark Kelly announced that the Senate passed the Fiscal Year 2022 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that included the Brandon Act, legislation he introduced named in honor of fallen United States Navy Petty Officer Third Class Brandon Caserta of Peoria, Arizona.
The Brandon Act is designed to protect service members who experience mental health emergencies and reduce the stigma around reporting. This bill will allow service members to seek mental health treatment and require a mental health evaluation as soon as a service member self-reports. It will also allow Americans serving in uniform to seek help confidentially and, if necessary, outside of the chain of command.
See below for news highlights:
Arizona’s Family: Peoria parents help pass legislation to prevent military suicides following son’s death
Gila Herald: Senate passes Brandon Act to change DoD mental health policy, pay tribute to fallen Arizonan and Navy sailor Brandon Caserta
Today, U.S. Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ) and Representative Seth Moulton (D-MA) announced that the Senate passed the Fiscal Year 2022 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that included the Brandon Act, legislation they introduced named in honor of fallen United States Navy Petty Officer Third Class Brandon Caserta. The act is now headed to President Biden’s desk.
The Brandon Act is designed to protect service members who experience mental health emergencies and reduce the stigma around reporting. This bill will allow service members to seek mental health treatment and require a mental health evaluation as soon as a service member self-reports. It will also allow Americans serving in uniform to seek help confidentially and, if necessary, outside of the chain of command. […]
ABC 15: The Brandon Act, honoring fallen Arizona sailor, passes Senate
…The Brandon Act, if approved, would make it easier for service members to seek mental health treatment confidentially.
The bill is named after Arizona sailor Brandon Caserta, who died by suicide a few years ago while serving in the Navy.
For years, Caserta’s parents tried getting the bill passed into law but kept running into issues until recently when it was included in the National Defense Authorization Act.
“When they’re sitting down with families it’s kind of hard to ignore the situation,” said Brandon’s father, Patrick Caserta.
The bill received bipartisan support and was sponsored by U.S. Senator Mark Kelly. […]
KYMA: Arizona Senators welcome the passing of the Annual Defense Bill
[…] “This defense bill will bring needed upgrades to Arizona’s military bases while raising servicemember pay and addressing head on the issue of military suicides with our bill the Brandon Act. Critically, this also boosts the research, development, and testing of advanced technologies needed to keep our competitive edge over adversaries like China,” said Senator Kelly.
Major projects, including a couple in Yuma, will be funded and be offered provisions based on mental health, water management and school upgrades.
“Arizona servicemembers and our military community are critical to America’s national security, and I remain committed to ensuring they get the resources and support needed to keep Arizona and America safe and secure,” expressed Senator Sinema.
Senator Kelly introduced the Brandon Act in June to honor Navy Petty Officer Third Class Brandon Caserta, who was lost to suicide. The act focuses on allowing service members to seek mental health care while avoiding certain stigmas. […]
Arizona Republic: Pentagon budget would keep the A-10 flying another year, offer help to troubled troops
…The budget would require the military to establish a phrase for troops that allows them to quickly access mental health care without reprisal from their commanding officers.
Caserta killed himself after extended bullying in the Navy and after he slipped a note to his superior indicating his problems. The note went ignored and he killed himself a week later.
Known as the “Brandon Act,” it was introduced in the Senate by Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, and was co-sponsored in the House by Rep. Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., a member of the House Armed Services Committee, and Rep. Debbie Lesko, R-Ariz., whose district includes Caserta’s home. […]
Daily Independent: Mental health in the military: U.S. Senate passes Brandon Act
Teri and Patrick Caserta have long been fighting for justice and the legacy of their son, Brandon.
Now their hard work is about to pay off for the benefit of those serving in the armed forces across the country.
The U.S. Senate earlier this month passed the fiscal year 2022 National Defense Authorization Act that included the Brandon Act, designed to protect service members who experience mental health emergencies and reduce the stigma around self-reporting.
