American Legion Talking Points

Lack of access to quality mental health care

The American Legion is committed to ensuring all veterans have access to quality mental health care. Veterans often face unique challenges when it comes to mental health, and they deserve specialized care that meets their needs. We are working to increase veterans' access to mental health services, and we will continue to advocate for policies that support our veterans' mental health.

High rates of suicide

The American Legion is committed to helping veterans in need and ensuring they have the necessary resources and support. Suicide is a national problem, and veterans are disproportionately affected. In 2016, the suicide rate for veterans was nearly double that of the general population.

The American Legion is working to raise awareness of this issue and support veterans who may be at risk. We believe no veteran should feel alone or without hope, and we are committed to helping those who have served our country.

Lack of affordable housing

The American Legion is committed to ensuring all veterans access affordable housing. Every veteran deserves a safe and secure place to call home, and we will continue working with Congress and the Department of Veterans Affairs to ensure that veterans have the resources they need to find and maintain affordable housing.

High rates of unemployment

The American Legion is concerned about the high rates of unemployment among veterans.
The government should do more to help veterans find jobs.
Likewise, businesses should do more to hire veterans.
Veterans have a lot to offer companies, and they should be given preference in hiring.

Poverty

The American Legion is committed to helping all veterans, including those struggling with poverty.
We believe that no one who has served our country should have to live in poverty, and we will continue to work with government and private organizations to help ensure that all veterans have the resources they need.
The American Legion provides direct assistance to veterans in need through our many programs, including the Veterans Affairs Volunteer Service, the Veterans Benefits Assistance Program, and the National Emergency Fund.

Homelessness

The American Legion is committed to helping veterans who are experiencing homelessness.
Every veteran deserves a safe, decent place to live. We work with government and private organizations to ensure that homeless veterans have access to the necessary resources, including housing, healthcare, and employment assistance.
We also provide direct financial service to homeless veterans through our Emergency Relief Fund.

Access to education and training opportunities

The American Legion strongly believes that all veterans should have access to education and training opportunities.
The Legion has worked tirelessly to ensure that the G.I. Bill provides adequate educational benefits for all veterans and will continue to fight for increased benefits in the future.
In addition, the Legion has established many programs aimed at helping veterans transition into civilian life, including job fairs, resume writing workshops and career counseling services.

Access to health care

The American Legion is committed to providing access to quality healthcare for all veterans.
Every veteran deserves access to the care they need when they need it.
We are working to ensure that all veterans have access to the VA healthcare system and private healthcare options.
We are also working to improve the quality of care available to veterans and ensure that Veterans Affairs facilities meet the needs of those who have served our country.

Transition assistance from military to civilian life

The American Legion is committed to helping transitioning military personnel, and their families make a successful transition to civilian life.
All transitioning service members and their families should have access to the resources they need to make this transition, including information on education, employment, housing, and health care.
We also believe that Congress and the administration should provide adequate funding for programs that assist transitioning service members and their families.

Benefits available to veterans

The American Legion believes all veterans and their families should receive the best care and benefits.
The Legion ensures that veterans have access to the care and help they need when they need it.
The American Legion supports increased funding for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to provide quality health care and benefits to all veterans.
The Legion also calls on Congress to pass legislation that would improve the lives of veterans and their families.

General

In 2016, the National Veterans Foundation found that nearly 1 in 3 veterans lives in poverty.
According to the National Alliance to End Homelessness, on any given night, there are over 37,000 veterans homeless in the United States.
A study by Disabled American Veterans showed that 70% of veterans who responded have difficulty paying for daily expenses.
The VA's 2016 Survey of Veteran Enrollees found that 8% of veterans are unemployed.
The same survey found that 21% of veterans reported having a service-connected disability rating.
In 2014, the Suicide Prevention Resource Center estimated that 20 veterans commit suicide every day.
A 2017 Department of Veterans Affairs report shows that veteran homelessness has declined by 50% since 2010, thanks to government and nonprofit programs addressing the issue.
The number of women vets is increasing yearly - between 2001 and 2012, the number of women vets grew by 85%. Today, women make up 15% of living vets (US Dept of Veterans Affairs).
Another challenge many female veterans face is Military Sexual Trauma (MST). MST is sexual assault or repeated threatening sexual harassment experienced during military service (VA website). According to Congressional testimony given in 2013, it's estimated that one in five women serving in Iraq and Afghanistan were sexually assaulted while serving (Rape Abuse & Incest National Network).
Many veterans returning from combat zones struggle with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues.

Resources