Hide Transcript Show Transcript

SEXTON HAS THE DETAILS. ADAM: KICKING OFF A THREE-DAY FIRST IN THE NATION CAMPAIGN SWING IN MANCHESTER, PETE BUTTIGIEG STOPPED BY THE AMERICAN LEGION SWEENEY POST, WHERE FELLOW VETERANS TOLD HIM THEY NEED HELP. >> EVERYBODY’S TALKING ABOUT THEY ARE GOING TO CHANGE THE V.A. THEY CLOSED OUR URGENT CARE CENTER. >> FIRST OF ALL, I’M SORRY TO HEAR THIS, THIS IS NOT THE ONLY TIME I’VE HEARD THIS STORY OF SOMEBODY WHO’S TRYING TO NAVIGATE A SYSTEM THAT’S DESIGNED NOT AS A WAY TO DO YOU A FAVOR, BUT AS A WAY TO KEEP A PROMISE. ADAM: THE SOUTH BEND MAYOR IS IN NEW HAMPSHIRE TO UNVEIL HIS NEW, NATIONAL MENTAL HEALTH PLAN, WHICH AIMS TO PREVENT ONE MILLION DEATHS OF DESPAIR INVOLVING SUICIDE OR DRUGS OVER THE NEXT 10 YEARS. SITTING DOWN FOR AN INTERVIEW THAT WILL AIR SUNDAY ON CLOSE UP, BUTTIGIEG SAYS A SPECIAL EMPHASIS WILL BE PLACED ON THE EPIDEMIC OF SUICIDE AMONG VETERANS. >> AS A VETERAN, IT’S SO DISTURBING TO ME TO KNOW HOW MANY PEOPLE, OFTEN WHO WERE DEPLOYED INTO DANGEROUS ENVIRONMENTS, SURVIVED THEIR DEPLOYMENT, BUT DON’T SURVIVE THEIR BATTLE WITH MENTAL ILLNESS. IT’S WHY WE’VE GOT TO MAKE SURE THERE’S MORE ACCESS TO PROVIDERS FOR VETERANS, IT’S WHY WE’VE GOT TO REINFORCE WHAT’S AVAILABLE AT THE V.A. ADAM: VETS SAY THEY LIKE HOW THE MAYOR’S PLAN WOULD USE FEDERAL GRANTS TO FUND MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAMS ON THE LOCAL LEVEL. >> HE’S ABSOLUTELY RIGHT. WHAT IT TAKES IS A COMMUNITY EFFORT. ONLY WE KNOW WHAT WE DEAL WITH. ADAM: WHILE VETERANS AND SO MANY OTHERS ARE CRYING OUT FOR HELP, THERE ARE STILL QUESTIONS ABOUT HOW MUCH THIS PLAN IS GOING TO COST. THE MAYOR SAYS IT’S MONEY THIS COUNTRY NEEDS TO SPEND. >> THERE’S MORE THAN ENOUGH REVENUE TO BE HAD IN THIS COUNTRY WITHOUT DISTORTING THE ECONOMY IF WE INSIST THAT THOSE WHO ARE BEST POSITIONED TO PAY THEIR FA

Advertisement Buttigieg unveils mental health plan in NH visit Democratic presidential candidate focuses on reducing veteran suicides Share Shares Copy Link Copy

Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg unveiled a nationwide mental health plan Friday that has a special focus on veterans.Kicking off a three-day New Hampshire campaign swing in Manchester, Buttigieg stopped by the American Legion Sweeney Post, where fellow veterans told him they need help."First of all, I'm sorry to hear this," Buttigieg said. "This is not the only time I've heard this story of somebody who's trying to navigate a system that's designed not as a way to do you a favor, but as a way to keep a promise."The South Bend, Indiana, mayor was in New Hampshire to unveil his national mental health plan, which aims to prevent one million "deaths of despair" involving suicide or drugs over the next 10 years.In an interview that will air Sunday on "CloseUP," Buttigieg said a special emphasis will be placed on the epidemic of suicide among veterans."As a veteran, it's so disturbing to me to know how many people, often who were deployed into dangerous environments, survived their deployment, but don't survive their battle with mental illness," Buttigieg said. "It's why we've got to make sure there's more access to providers for veterans. It's why we've got to reinforce what's available at the VA."Veterans said they like how the mayor's plan would use federal grants to fund mental health programs on the local level."He's absolutely right," said Air Force veteran Natasha Moulton. "What it takes is a community effort. Only we know what we deal with."While veterans and many others say there's a need for help, there are still questions about how much the plan would cost. Buttigieg said it's money the country needs to spend."There's more than enough revenue to be had in this country without distorting the economy if we insist that those who are best positioned to pay their fair share do so," he said.