It has been about a year since the Brandon Act was signed into law — giving military personnel the option to anonymously request mental health help, a key that many say could be the difference between life and death.
Peoria residents Teri and Patrick Caserta were instrumental in getting the bill passed, and in the process honoring their son who committed suicide while in the Navy, and they say, would have benefited from the ability to self report rather than going through the chain of command, which is required, pending the implementation of the Brandon Act.
Since this tragedy, the Caserta’s have been honored by the League of United Latin American Citizens, the city of Peoria, Rep. Debbie Lesko, R-Ariz., and the Peoria Independent as a Hometown Hero.
