Sen. Richard Blumenthal applauded the White House’s decision to begin sending condolence letters to families of service members who commit suicide. Previously, the Administration’s policy had been to only send letters to families of personnel who were killed in combat or noncombat incidents in war zones.
The White House initiated a review of that policy in 2009. And in May 2011, Blumenthal and nine other senators pushed for a reversal in a letter to the President.
“All military families deserve to have the loved ones they’ve lost acknowledged and honored for their service,” Blumenthal said in a statement after media reports of the reversal. “I hope that this change in policy not only comforts military families in Connecticut and across the country, but also acts as a step toward combating the serious stigma attached to mental health issues that must be addressed more thoroughly and comprehensively.”