Rep. Cisneros Launches Military Mental Health Caucus

Washington, DC – In May, Congressman Gilbert R. Cisneros, Jr. (CA-31) and Congresswoman Jen Kiggans (VA-02) launched the Military Mental Health Caucus.The bipartisan caucus will support service members and their families with issues related to mental health, including mental health support, awareness, and education. 

Caucus goals include reducing suicide rates across all military branches by fighting the stigma surrounding mental health; providing accessible, evidence-based resources to prevent suicide; and bolstering support networks for service members and their families. 

“I’m honored to launch the Military Mental Health Caucus with my co-chair, Congresswoman Kiggans, to help connect our veterans with the care they need.” said Rep. Cisneros. “As a Navy veteran, I’ve seen firsthand the challenges that servicemembers face to get the high quality mental healthcare they deserve.This caucus will serve as a bipartisan effort to bring attention to the mental health needs of those who have served our country, expand education to reduce the stigma, and support mental health care across our military.”

“As a Navy veteran, geriatric nurse practitioner, and proud representative of one of the highest concentrations of active-duty military families in the country, I know how critical mental health support is to both readiness and quality of life,” said Rep. Kiggans. “I’m honored to launch the bipartisan Military Mental Health Caucus with Rep. Cisneros to ensure our servicemembers and their families receive the care they’ve earned. This caucus will focus on reducing stigma, expanding access to evidence-based resources, and strengthening support networks across the military community. When we prioritize mental wellness, we strengthen our force, and our nation.”

“Brandon would be deeply honored and proud to know that his story has helped inspire the creation of the Military Mental Health Caucus,” said Teri Caserta, Founder and CEO of the Brandon Caserta Foundation.“He believed strongly in making sure others wouldn’t have to suffer in silence or struggle to access the care they need. This caucus represents a powerful milestone in the ongoing impact of The Brandon Act. The Brandon Caserta Foundation is grateful to have played a role in its inception and we commend Representatives Gilbert Cisneros and Jen Kiggans for their leadership and commitment to this issue. We look forward to working alongside them to support the caucus’s mission. We are especially thankful for the bipartisan effort—because preventing suicide in our military is not a political issue, it’s a human one.”

Rep. Cisneros is a Navy Veteran and the former Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness. He currently serves on the House Armed Services Committee, Subcommittee on Military Personnel, Subcommittee on Intelligence and Special Operations, and Appropriations Defense Subcommittee.

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