SAVE Act Overview
The SAVE Act is a federal law enacted in December 2019, aimed at improving mental health treatment for military veterans and their families.
Definition of Mental Health Treatment
The SAVE Act defines mental health treatment as "any type or degree of therapy, including but not limited to cognitive-behavioral therapy, psychopharmacological treatment, and other forms of medication and other treatments provided by a licensed therapist."
Eligibility for Mental Health Treatment
The SAVE Act provides eligibility criteria for military veterans to access mental health treatment. Eligible individuals include those who have served 90 days of active duty, or 6 months of continuous military service, and are honorably discharged under conditions similar to a combat mission.
Public Health Service Mental Health Services
The SAVE Act provides for mental health services at the Public Health Service (PHS) level, including mental health counseling, addiction treatment, and substance abuse prevention.
State and Local Mental Health Programs
Support Services and Resources
The SAVE Act provides a range of support services and resources, including the Military Family Support Network (MFSN), which connects military families with trained therapists and peer mentors.