Expresses support for federal "Building Resources and Access for Veteran's Mental Health Engagement Act of 2025."

AR136

ASSEMBLY RESOLUTION No. 136

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

222nd LEGISLATURE

�

INTRODUCED MAY 7, 2026

Sponsored by:

Assemblyman� ALEX SAUICKIE

District 12 (Burlington, Middlesex, Monmouth and Ocean)

Co-Sponsored by:

Assemblyman Scharfenberger

SYNOPSIS

���� Expresses support for federal �Building Resources and
Access for Veterans� Mental Health Engagement Act of 2025.�

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

���� As introduced.

��

An Assembly
Resolution
expressing support for the
federal �Building Resources and Access for Veterans� Mental Health Engagement
Act of 2025.�

Whereas,

The high-pressure and demanding nature of military service can negatively
impact a person�s mental health; and

Whereas,

Mental health challenges faced by veterans and service members often include
posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, suicidal ideation, substance use
disorder, and anxiety; and

Whereas,

Of the veterans receiving care through the United States Department of Veterans
Affairs (VA) in 2023, about 31 percent had a confirmed mental health diagnosis;
and

Whereas,

The VA provides eligible veterans and their families with access to mental
health services, including evidence-based therapies, inpatient and outpatient
care, and crisis support; and

Whereas,

The �Building Resources and Access for Veterans� Mental Health Engagement Act
of 2025,� or the �BRAVE Act of 2025,� introduced in the 119th Congress, further
addresses mental health services and care provided by the VA, including matters
related to personnel, Vet Center administration, women veterans, and access to
care; and

Whereas,

The legislation also extends the Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide
Prevention Grant Program, which awards grants to community-based organizations
to provide non-clinical suicide prevention services to eligible veterans,
active-duty service members, and their families; and

Whereas,

New Jersey is home to approximately 300,000 veterans, many of whom may be
struggling with mental health challenges; and

Whereas,

As of 2023, the New Jersey veteran suicide rate was 13.5 per 100,000 veterans;
and

Whereas,

The residents of New Jersey have a responsibility to help our veterans, both in
this State and across the nation, who suffer from the deep, invisible wounds of
war and conflict; and

Whereas,

The health and well-being of the courageous men and women who served in uniform
are of the highest priority for this State; and

Whereas,

It is fitting and proper for this House to demonstrate its support for the �BRAVE
Act of 2025� and honor its commitment to our veterans by continuing to support
their emotional and mental health; now, therefore,

����
Be It
Resolved
by the General Assembly of the State
of New Jersey:

���� 1.� This House expresses its
support for the �Building Resources and Access for Veterans� Mental Health
Engagement Act of 2025,� or the �BRAVE Act of 2025,� introduced in the 119th
Congress, which addresses mental health services and care provided by the United
States Department of Veterans Affairs, and respectfully urges its passage by
Congress and signing by the President of the United States.

���� 2.� Copies of this resolution,
as filed with the Secretary of State, shall be transmitted by the Clerk of the
General Assembly to the Majority and Minority leaders of the United States
Senate, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Minority leader of the House
of Representatives, every member of Congress elected from this State, and the
Secretary of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs.

STATEMENT

���� This resolution expresses support
for the �Building Resources and Access for Veterans� Mental Health Engagement
Act of 2025,� or the �BRAVE Act of 2025,� and respectfully urges its passage by
Congress and signing by the President of the United States.

���� The high-pressure and
demanding nature of military service can result in mental health challenges,
such as posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, suicidal ideation, substance
use disorder, and anxiety.� Of the veterans receiving care through the United
States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) in 2023, about 31 percent had a
confirmed mental health diagnosis.� The VA provides eligible veterans and their
families with access to mental health services, including evidence-based
therapies, inpatient and outpatient care, and crisis support.

���� The �Building Resources and
Access for Veterans� Mental Health Engagement Act of 2025,� or the �BRAVE Act
of 2025,� introduced in the 119th Congress, further addresses mental health
services and care provided by the VA, including matters related to personnel,
Vet Center administration, women veterans, and access to care.� The legislation
also extends the Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant
Program, which awards grants to community-based organizations to provide
non-clinical suicide prevention services to eligible veterans, active-duty
service members, and their families.

���� New Jersey is home to
approximately 300,000 veterans, many of whom may be struggling with mental
health challenges.� As of 2023, the New Jersey veteran suicide rate was 13.5
per 100,000 veterans.� The residents of New Jersey have a responsibility to
help our veterans, both in this State and across the nation, who suffer from
the deep, invisible wounds of war and conflict.� The health and well-being of
the courageous men and women who served in uniform are of the highest priority
for this State.