IOWA, USA — When Iowa Marine Adam Lambert returned home from Afghanistan in 2013, he felt surrounded by struggle.
"A couple of his people he knew through other marines had died by suicide," said Dean Lambert, Adam's father.
Soon after Adam touched back down in Iowa, his mental health struggles began.
“One of his boot camp bunkmates, Daniel J. Harvey, also died of suicide. I think [for] Adam, there was some tipping point. He was sort of at his wits end," Dean told Local 5.
In the weeks following Harvey’s death, Adam also took his own life. Since Adam’s passing, Dean and his wife Jill have spoken to Iowa lawmakers about their son’s struggle to seek help after separating from service.
“Whether it's pride, whether they feel like there are people who are worse off than them, which is certainly what we were told a few times by our son, that just don't get the help that they need," Dean said.
Now, in memory of both Harvey and Lambert, Iowa congressman Zach Nunn has brought forward new legislation that will aim to strengthen mental health resources for veterans. It also focuses on the Solid Start Program, which is run by the Department of Veterans Affairs and helps service members transition to civilian life when they return home.
“Anytime that we see a veteran who has come back, not only just recognizing the service they've done to our country, but doing the check ins," Nunn told Local 5. "Most importantly, we have a lot of viable resources out there for veterans, but access to it continues to be a challenge.”
The latest data from the VA shows that Iowa’s veteran suicide rate is higher than the national average. The suicide prevention team at VA Central Iowa Health Care believes the biggest struggle for veterans is asking for help in the first place.
"What is the biggest struggle? Getting them to come in," Community Engagement and Partnership Coordinator Lori Reynolds said. "Veterans are trained to take care of themselves and to take care of everybody around them, so they don't ask for help."
Veterans are at their highest risk for suicide in the first 12 months after returning home, according to Reynolds. This period is critical for the VA in their efforts to connect with veterans.
"Getting your veterans and service members connected to really anything is first and foremost, the best thing that you can do for them," Reynolds added.
VA Central Iowa Health Care operates a behavioral health program for veterans, with a focus on mental health. They also encourage veterans to use the 988 Suicide and Crisis Hotline if they need someone to talk to; veterans can dial 1 and be directed to 988's Veteran Crisis Hotline.
Nunn hopes that those returning home know about the support available through the VA and other resources for veterans. For Dean and Jill, the legislation is a a sign of hope.
“Let's move some mountains and get some help for these veterans who have sacrificed so much for their family," Jill said.
Nunn's bipartisan legislation passed through the House Veterans Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity on Wednesday. It will now be considered by the full House Veterans Affairs Committee before moving to the House floor.