The act that improved mental health service for veterans

For nearly a decade after 9/11 and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the suicide rate among veterans remained staggering— 22 veterans lost their lives to suicide every single day. (Opens in a new tab) This crisis exposed deep gaps in mental health care and underscored the urgent need for action.

Ten years ago this month, veterans and families came together to pass the the Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for American Veterans Act, a landmark law that improved access to mental health care for military members. Named after Clay Hunt, a decorated Marine who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, the legislation expanded critical support for veterans struggling with mental health challenges - and while there is still significant work to do today, the rate of veteran suicide has dropped by more than 20 percent.

This month we spoke with Robert Diamond, former Special Assistant to the President for Public Engagement and Director of Private Sector Engagement, who served in the Obama administration during the passage of the Clay Hunt Act to get a closer look at the policy and its implications today.

Passing the Clay Hunt Act

Like many veterans, Clay Hunt struggled with depression and post-traumatic stress after serving in the military and was not given adequate support. He tragically died by suicide at the age of only 28. Clay’s passing placed a spotlight on the critical gaps in mental health care for veterans and the urgency with which these issues needed to be addressed. 

“The Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention Act was the first significant action by the federal government to address this crisis,” Diamond reflected. “It was the result of tireless advocacy by the veterans' community, bipartisan support on Capitol Hill, and the urgency the Obama Administration demonstrated to get tools in the hands of those caring for our veterans. The Clay Hunt Act changed the trajectory of veteran suicide in America.”

The law aimed to remove barriers to mental health care, increase accountability within the VA, and destigmatize seeking help for post-service trauma. The combined efforts of veteran advocacy groups, lawmakers, and the Obama Administration ensured the bill was signed into law in February 2015.

“This wasn’t just a bill—it changed the trajectory of veterans' suicide in America,” Diamond emphasized. “It put critical tools into the hands of those caring for our veterans, and it sent a clear message: mental health support for service members is not optional—it’s a necessity.” As of 2022, an average of 17.6 veterans die by suicide each day, according to a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs study. (Opens in a new tab) While the decrease is an important step forward, there is still an urgent need for mental health support and intervention programs to prevent veteran suicide.

The Impact of the Clay Hunt Act

For Diamond, the passage of the Clay Hunt Act was more than a political win—it was personal.

“I served as an officer in the U.S. Navy for seven years and am a veteran of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom,” he shared. “The 22 veterans we were losing every day to suicide were my brothers and sisters-in-arms. They were the men and women I went to war alongside and was lucky to come home with. The Clay Hunt Act was a major step forward—it helped remove the stigma around mental health support for service members and gave the VA the resources it needed to provide care at a level necessary to address the suicide epidemic in our ranks.”

By requiring independent oversight of VA programs, increasing suicide prevention outreach, and expanding peer support networks, the law provided veterans with better access to lifesaving resources. It also reaffirmed the nation’s responsibility to support those who served.

Diamond described it as a turning point, saying, “The Act gave veterans more access, more support, and more accountability within the system. It helped shift the conversation from ‘this is just part of military life’ to ‘this is a crisis we must solve.’”

The Act Ten Years Later

A decade later, the Clay Hunt Act continues to play a critical role in veteran mental health support. The Act’s annual evaluations and increased oversight have driven continued improvements in how veterans receive care. While there is still work to be done, the policy created a foundation that made it harder to ignore the mental health challenges faced by veterans.

For Diamond, the Clay Hunt Act represents one of those solutions. “It wasn’t just a policy—it was a lifeline for the men and women who served this country,” he said. “And 10 years later, it remains a testament to what’s possible when advocacy, bipartisan leadership, and action come together.”

“ It wasn’t just a policy—it was a lifeline for the men and women who served this country.”

"We must continue investing in resources, ensuring access to care, and listening to the voices of those who have served. The fight to support our veterans is ongoing," Diamond said.