Defense Department health leaders testified at a Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense hearing March 7, touting their efforts to prevent suicide among military and family members.
Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs Lester Martinez-Lopez, MD, spoke on the department's mental health efforts during the hearing, according to a news release from the department.
"It's not just a medical issue. It's an issue that encompasses personnel actions. It's an issue that encompasses financial issues. Anything that brings more stress, we have to figure out how to lessen that load on service members," Dr. Martinez-Lopez said.
Navy Surgeon General Rear Adm. Bruce L. Gillingham added that another key priority for the Navy and Marine Corps is ensuring sailors and Marines have access to the full scope of mental health resources.