Will protect service members who experience mental health emergencies, reduce stigma of self-reporting
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The Brandon Act
What is the Brandon Act?: It allows service members who experience mental health issues to confidentially self-report and receive access to a mental health evaluation and appropriate care.
How is that done?: It establishes a standard phrase, like “Brandon Act,” that when spoken by a member of the Armed Forces to a commanding officer or supervisor would trigger a confidential mental health evaluation referral that would not require a notification to the command.
What does it do?: It allows service members who experience mental health issues to confidentially self-report and receive access to a mental health evaluation and appropriate care without notifying command or law enforcement officials, avoiding possible retribution.
What would it require?: If a referral is triggered, it must be followed through on immediately. It requires the Department of Defense establish disclosure and a referral process that protects the confidentiality of the service member.
What is the current state?: The Brandon Act has been passed, but some of the Armed Forces have not yet implemented the policy
The Brandon Act has come a long way in its journey to officially become policy, but there are still steps yet before it becomes fully implemented, according to the Caserta family, who advocated for the bill after their son died of suicide in the U.S. Navy.
On May 5, Under Secretary for Personnel and Readiness Gilbert R. Cisneros Jr. signed the Brandon Act, paving the path for its implementation and filling a void in access to mental health care in the Armed Forces, the Casertas say.
Cisneros’ signature put in motion the process at the Department of Defense mandating that each branch of the Armed Fores craft their own policy of The Brandon Act based on each branch’s rules and regulations.
Teri Caserta spoke to Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall, III, who signed the policy on July 20. Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro called the Casertas personally July 10 before he signed the new Navy and Marine policy.
“He was about to sign the Brandon Act for implementation, but wanted to read us the paragraph where it says who the act was named for. He wanted our approval before he signed it. He did sign as we were on the phone, which was exciting,” Teri said.
The Casertas say they do not know if the policy has been signed by the other Armed Forces.
The Brandon Act is designed to protect service members who experience mental health emergencies and reduce the stigma around self-reporting.
Brandon, the son of Teri and Patrick Caserta, who are Peoria residents, joined the Navy in 2015 after graduating from high school at the age of 17 and experienced a period of sustained bullying and hazing from not only his fellow sailors but also leadership, with no support from his commanding officers.
The Casertas say their sons’ lack of support ended with Brandon dying by suicide on June 25, 2018, on his Navy Helicopter Squadron’s flight line in Norfolk, Virgina.
But now that the Brandon Act is being implemented, service members who experience mental health issues will be able to confidentially self-report and receive access to mental health care.
“The Brandon Act will save military service members’ lives and it will give them the mental health care they rightfully deserve without the stigma and retaliation that can happen,” Teri said.
Philip Haldiman can be reached at phaldiman@iniusa.org, or on Twitter @philiphaldiman. We’d like to invite our readers to submit their civil comments, pro or con, on this issue. Email AZOpinions@iniusa.org.
Meet Philip Haldiman is an award-winning journalist who most recently took first place for investigative reporting in 2023 from Arizona Newspapers Association. He joined Independent Newsmedia, Inc., USA, in 2015, covering Sun City West his first year. Since 2016, he has covered the city of Peoria. Prior to coming to INI, he was a reporter with The Arizona Republic for seven years, covering numerous cities throughout the Valley. Before that, he was a freelance writer.
Community: Haldiman spearheads the Peoria Independent Hometown Heroes Awards program, honoring local individuals and businesses that give back to the community. He has hosted local candidate forums over the years and is a member of the Society of Professional Journalists. Haldiman also served as a member of the Journalism Program Community Advisory Board at Glendale Community College. Outside journalism, Haldiman served as a member of the city of Peoria Complete Count Committee for the Census, 2019-2020. Lastly, he has served as a member of his HOA governing board since 2021.
Education: Arizona State University with a BA in Journalism and Mass Communications and a BA in Theater.
Random Fact: Haldiman is a fourth-generation Arizonan as well as wrote and produced an autobiographical comic book about his time spent in Hollywood and his life as a cult film star.
Hobbies: He enjoys hiking Arizona’s mountainous landscapes and is currently working on a play for the stage.
Peoria,
Arizona Brandon Act has come a long way in its journey to officially become policy,
but there are still steps yet before it becomes fully implemented
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