Washington D.C. – House Armed Services Ranking Member Adam Smith released the following statement in response to the Administration’s decision to sent condolence letters to family members of soldiers who commit suicide:

“The Administration’s decision to send letters of condolence to the family members of soldiers who commit suicide is a welcomed change in policy.

“As the men and women of our Armed Services and their families know all too well, not all wounds reveal themselves in the form of a scar or a lost limb. The difficult things that some servicemembers witness or experience can affect them in a variety of ways, such as traumatic brain injury, post-traumatic stress, depression and anxiety. This shift in policy recognizes that fact and helps to begin the process of removing the stigma associated with the mental health issues that are being experienced by our troops.”

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