{"id":2726,"date":"2025-02-07T11:57:51","modified":"2025-02-07T11:58:42","slug":"fetterman-presses-defense-department-to-modernize-mental-health-support-for-servicemembers","link":"https:\/\/www.fetterman.senate.gov\/fetterman-presses-defense-department-to-modernize-mental-health-support-for-servicemembers\/","title":{"rendered":"Fetterman Presses Defense Department to Modernize Mental Health Support for Servicemembers"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Washington, D.C. \u2013<\/strong> Yesterday, U.S. Senator John Fetterman (D-PA) sent a letter to Lieutenant General Telita Crosland, Director of the Defense Health Agency, urging the Department of Defense (DoD) to consider allocating funds for new mental health care application programming and reform existing efforts. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the letter, Senator Fetterman writes:<\/strong> \u201cAs DoD considers how to spend its greater than $60 billion annual budget for military health care funding in Fiscal Year 2026, I urge the Department to consider allocating funds for new mental health care application programing. We know this funding will pay for itself long term \u2013 the estimated return on investment is about $4 for every $1 spent. Prioritizing creative, preventative care measures like mobile applications will equip our servicemembers with the tools and resources they need to navigate personal adversity and avoid mental health emergencies.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In his letter, Senator Fetterman highlighted how mental health mobile applications have proven to be effective in managing depression and reducing related symptoms among users. These types of apps are typically free or low-cost to users, discreet for use at a moment\u2019s notice, and can be used without cellular service or WiFi, which is crucial if a servicemember is deployed. However, despite their potential, DoD\u2019s existing apps are underutilized. Of the mobile apps currently available to servicemembers, only two were used by more than 1,500 individuals over a three-month period studied by DoD.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The need for accessible mental health care is evident:<\/p>\n\n\n\n