Bill Overview
Title: Guarding Mental Health Act
Description: This bill requires the U.S. Coast Guard to establish an interim behavioral health policy for its members that is equivalent to the behavioral health policy of the Department of Defense.
Sponsors: Sen. Murkowski, Lisa [R-AK]
Target Audience
Population: Individuals serving in coast guards globally
Estimated Size: 41000
- The bill impacts members of the U.S. Coast Guard.
- The U.S. Coast Guard is one of the branches of the U.S. Armed Forces.
- The U.S. Coast Guard has similar mental health demands as other military branches.
- The global population of active U.S. military personnel is typically around 1.3 million individuals.
- While the bill is for one branch, it marks a step that could potentially have similar frameworks applied worldwide in analogous forces, potentially impacting equivalent military personnel in other countries eventually.
Reasoning
- The policy directly impacts members of the U.S. Coast Guard, with a potential ripple effect on the mental health framework across military branches.
- The well-being impacts are simulated based on current military mental health frameworks and the potential improvement aligned with Department of Defense policies.
- Most of the target population includes active U.S. Coast Guard members, with diverse backgrounds and different levels of need.
- Consideration of those with existing mental health issues who will likely experience a more pronounced impact from improved care.
- Assessment must consider variability in responses due to different personal circumstances and job roles within the Coast Guard.
- The budget indicates a limited impact initially, focusing on systemic changes and gradual scaling over a decade.
- Including interviews from personnel with different experiences, such as new recruits, senior members, and those from different geographic areas or with varied family situations, to gauge broad impact.
- Simulating individuals who may not be impacted directly emphasizes the specificity of the policy to U.S. Coast Guard contexts.
Simulated Interviews
Coast Guard officer (Florida)
Age: 25 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think this policy could make a huge difference. The pressure in operations is intense, and while we do get some support, matching the DoD's approach would bring more comprehensive mental health resources.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Coast Guard engineer (California)
Age: 30 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Balancing my job with family is tough. Having stronger mental health policies could help me manage stress better and be more present at home.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Coast Guard pilot (Texas)
Age: 40 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Mental health resources have been lacking compared to other branches. This policy can potentially relieve some of the burdens many face, especially those who've seen service across continents.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Coast Guard cook (New York)
Age: 23 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think aligning mental health policies is a good move but as I'm new, I'm still adjusting and don't feel significant pressure yet.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Coast Guard rescue swimmer (Alaska)
Age: 35 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- A stronger mental health policy could offer needed support after difficult missions. It’s crucial for the longevity of our careers.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
Coast Guard logistics specialist (Virginia)
Age: 28 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's encouraging to know mental health is being prioritized. Although I don't struggle now, it's vital to have such policies in place for all.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Coast Guard senior officer (Washington)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Improvements are crucial. Over my career, I've seen peers struggle quietly. Comparable DoD standards could mean early intervention and better support.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Coast guard trainee (Hawaii)
Age: 19 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 18/20
Statement of Opinion:
- As a trainee, I’m glad to know the Coast Guard is progressing towards stronger support structures for mental health.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Coast Guard public affairs officer (Michigan)
Age: 32 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 13/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Establishing consistent mental health policies can assist in minimizing stigma and promote usage of resources proactively.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Retired Coast Guard veteran (Louisiana)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Wish we had such policies during my active years. This shift is vital for the active members and their future.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 4 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 4 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 4 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 4 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 4 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $70000000 (Low: $50000000, High: $90000000)
Year 2: $60000000 (Low: $45000000, High: $80000000)
Year 3: $60000000 (Low: $45000000, High: $80000000)
Year 5: $60000000 (Low: $45000000, High: $80000000)
Year 10: $65000000 (Low: $50000000, High: $85000000)
Year 100: $65000000 (Low: $50000000, High: $85000000)
Key Considerations
- The initial implementation phase could be the most resource-intensive.
- Savings from mental health programs often materialize over the long term.
- Potential expansion to other branches and scaling up the program could alter future budgets.