The Michigan House of Representatives adopted House Concurrent Resolution 5 on Tuesday, urging Congress, the Department of Defense, and the Department of Veterans Affairs to improve veterans’ mental health care.
“It’s so important that we provide veterans with the support they need and deserve. I appreciate all the veterans and advocates who have spoken out about the need for better mental health resources for veterans,” said State Rep. Jennifer Conlin (D-Ann Arbor Township), chair of the Michigan House Committee on Military, Veterans, and Homeland Security and sponsor of the resolution. “There are so many options available now to improve veterans’ mental health — from psychedelic-assisted therapy to outdoor therapy to access to service animals. I’m pleased that the House strongly supported this resolution and look forward to the Senate’s adoption.”
The resolution focuses on “research and investment in non-technology treatment options,” which include easier access to service animals, outdoor therapy, buddy-to-buddy programs and the burgeoning area of psychedelic-assisted clinical therapy.
Earlier this month, the committee held a two–part hearing on the state of veterans’ mental health care, including presentations focused on the accessibility of care, the role of traditional clinical therapy, and new research from the University of Michigan on the role of psychedelic medicine in treating veterans’ mental illnesses.
Conlin’s 48th House District includes Genoa and Hamburg townships, the Village of Pinckney and the southeast corner of Putnam Twp. in Livingston County.
