Expressing support for the designation of the second Saturday in June as "Veterans Get Outside Day".

This resolution highlights the significant mental health challenges faced by veterans, including high rates of traumatic brain injuries , post-traumatic stress , depression, and a disproportionately higher suicide rate. Despite ongoing efforts, there remain gaps in mental health care, necessitating the exploration of all available treatments to support the veteran community. Studies have consistently shown that exposure to nature and outdoor activities offers substantial therapeutic benefits for mental health, such as reducing risks of depression, improving focus, and lessening feelings of isolation. Increased access to green spaces has also been linked to a lower suicide risk, underscoring the positive impact of the outdoors. Therefore, the House of Representatives expresses support for designating the second Saturday in June as "Veterans Get Outside Day." This initiative aims to connect veterans with nature, building upon existing programs like National Get Outdoors Day and free national park admission for veterans. The resolution specifically encourages the Department of Veterans Affairs , the Forest Service , and the Department of the Interior to coordinate and cooperate in promoting this designated day. Such a collaborative effort would ensure a unified approach to encouraging veteran participation. Ultimately, a targeted outreach effort like "Veterans Get Outside Day" is anticipated to lead to increased engagement in outdoor events and foster improved mental health outcomes for veterans living with conditions such as post-traumatic stress, traumatic brain injury, depression, and anxiety.