All three military departments have officially implemented the first phase of Brandon’s Law with their own policies and procedures to initiate support for military mental health assistance requests.
THE Brandon Law was signed into law by President Biden on December 27, 2021, as part of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022. Former Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Status preparation, Gilbert R. Cisneros Jr., signed a policy on May 5, 2023, to initiate the act within the Department of Defense.
DOD policy required secretaries of military departments to establish policy, assign responsibilities, and provide procedures for service members wishing to self-initiate a referral for mental health treatment.
“Brandon’s Law authorizes servicemembers to seek mental health support by requesting a referral through a commanding officer or supervisor,” said U.S. Navy Capt. Kenneth Richter, director of policy. and mental health surveillance in the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs. . “The new process allows servicemembers to seek help confidentially, for any reason, at any time and in any environment, and aims to reduce the stigma associated with seeking help.”
“Military members also continue to have the option to contact a mental health provider directly, without the involvement of their unit,” Richter said. “In other words, a service member can self-refer, independently contacting a behavioral health provider for an assessment without any involvement from the service member’s command.”
The law is open to active-duty military members in the first phase of the policy’s implementation, according to Dr. Donald Shell, acting executive director of the Assistant Secretary of Defense’s Office of Health Services Policy and Oversight for health matters. Members of the military can request a mental health evaluation at any time and in any situation, including while deployed.
Fighters can seek mental health support services without fear of retaliation from leaders. The law facilitates access to care and establishes processes for leaders to act.
According to Shell, any military member can self-initiate a referral process for a mental health assessment through a commander or supervisor above the rank of E-5, on any base. . The commander or supervisor must refer the member to a mental health provider for evaluation as soon as possible.
Members of the military are not required to provide a reason or basis for requesting and receiving a referral. Mental health providers will conduct mental health assessments as soon as possible and provide necessary clinical care.
It is mandatory for commanders and supervisors to honor a request under the Brandon Act.
The Defense Health Agency in support
The DHA will develop and implement annual training for behavioral health providers and clinicians and other military health care providers in military hospitals and clinics who may conduct mental health assessments, including self-referrals. initiated through a commander.
“The DHA will support military department secretaries, as needed, in developing education and training programs for leadership and military personnel,” Shell said. “Behavioral health providers under DHA jurisdiction will conduct an assessment as soon as possible and, when possible, provide necessary care as clinically indicated.”
Brandon’s Law was introduced into legislation following the death of U.S. Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Brandon Caserta, who died by suicide in 2018.
Resources
For anyone experiencing a mental health crisis, needing immediate help or simply wanting to talk to someone, confidential help is available 24/7:
- THE Crisis Line for Military and Veteranstext messaging service and online chat provide free assistance to all military personnel, including National Guard and Reserve members, and all veterans, even if not registered with the department Veterans Affairs or enrolled in VA health care.
Call: 988 and press 1
Text: 838255
Click to chat - Military OneSource is a 24/7 gateway to trusted information for military members and their families, providing resources and confidential help. Call 800-342-9667.
- THE Psychological Health Resource Center is available 24/7 to military members, veterans and their family members who have questions about psychological health topics. Qualified mental health consultants can help you access mental health care and community support resources in your area. Call 1-866-966-1020, start a live chator visit www.health.mil/PHRC.
- THE in transition The program has 20 FAQs which provide a useful introduction to the program. You can call 800-424-7877 or 800-748-81111 in Australia, Germany, Italy, Japan and South Korea only. You can also send the program directly by email to: dha.ncr.j-9.mbx.inTransition@health.mil.
- THE Military health system, the DOD and VA have many other mental health resources available to any military member, family or veteran beneficiary who is struggling with mental health issues. Read Mental health is health care for a complete list of resources for immediate assistance or to schedule an appointment.
- To make a mental health appointment through TRICARE, visit: www.tricare.mil/MentalHealth.
