Military Veteran, Now a Congressman, Fighting Veteran Suicides
U.S. Congressman Brian Mast (R-FL) has seen, first-hand, the impact that war can have on soldiers returning home.
The military veteran served as an explosive ordnance disposal technician with the elite 28th Ordnance Company in Afghanistan as part of Operation Enduring Freedom. On September 19, 2010, while clearing a path for United States Army Rangers in Kandahar, Mast took a wrong step into an IED along the road. The explosion resulted in the amputation of both his legs and one of his fingers
Mast is committed to doing all that he can to increase mental health resources for veterans and to reduce veteran suicide rates. To that end, he is promoting the unique idea of a pledge to combat suicide among the nation’s veterans.
Troops leaving the service could take a voluntary oath to “to preserve the values I have learned, to maintain my body and my mind, and to not bring harm to myself without speaking to my fellow veterans first.”
The “Oath of Exit” passed the U.S. House of Representatives on July 14th as part of the National Defense Authorization Act. Part of the pledge would also commit troops who are being discharged to “continue to be the keeper of my brothers- and sisters-in-arms” in addition to the United States and the Constitution.
After his injury and during his recovery, Mast’s father was the one who inspired him by telling him to ensure that the greatest service he gives to the country is still ahead of him.
After his retirement from the Army, he continued working in counter-terrorism and national defense as an Explosive Specialist with the Department of Homeland Security.
His service now continues in the political arena.
Mast is in his first term representing the 18th Congressional District of Florida.
Superintendent at Sachse Construction
7 年We need more Men and Women like Congressman Mast who will take on the mental health crisis our country and health care systems face today. With more "high profile" celebrity suicides in the news and the ongoing high rate of Veteran suicide reported on, talking about suicide has finally started to come to the forefront. The bottom line is that our health care systems are not equipped, trained or funded to deal with this epidemic. Our state run mental hospitals have all but closed leaving our mentally ill on the streets only to be picked up by law enforcement and then our overburdened corrections facilities attempt to take care of these lost souls without proper training. So the cycle repeats until its too late. The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention has been fighting this good fight with the goal to reduce the suicide rate 20% by 2025. Volunteer, participate, fundraise and walk to help prevent suicide and fund programs for those who's darkness takes over including family services, survivor services and research to help the fight! Take action, move forward and carry on with the plan of the day...
Retired and Professional Veteran Representative (Arkansas)
7 年I want to connect with the Congressman. We have a very common interest to suicide prevention