M-61 Support for military personnel, veterans, and first responders

That, in the opinion of the House, the government should: (a) recognize the commitment and sacrifices made by men and women in the military, veterans and those who work as first responders; (b) recognize that those working in the military, as first responders, and veterans are subject to difficult and sometimes traumatic circumstances that may predispose them to Occupational Stress Injuries (OSI) such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD); (c) recognize that the mental health of military service men and women, veterans, first responders and retired and volunteer first responders should be made a priority; and (d) commit to supporting the mental health of military, first responders, veterans, retired and volunteer first responders, and their families who are living with an OSI or mental health illness by (i) improving education and support for families and care givers about mental health, OSI and PTSD, (ii) increasing mental health services across the country aimed at military, veterans, first responders, and retired and volunteer first responders, (iii) increasing access to service animals for military, veterans, first responders, and retired and volunteer first responders living with an OSI or mental health illness related to their service.