Sec. 203. Post-traumatic growth partnerships
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The Secretary of Veterans Affairs, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Homeland Security, shall enter into partnerships with nonprofit mental health organizations to facilitate post-traumatic growth among veterans who have experienced trauma. Before entering into a partnership under subsection (a), the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall consult with the National Institute of Mental Health, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, the American Psychological Association, the Posttraumatic Growth Research Group, and organizations that represent veterans.
The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall ensure that each organization with which the Secretary enters into a partnership under subsection
(a)has a demonstrated history of success with programs to facilitate post-traumatic growth, including— long-term follow-up with veterans who have participated in such a program for not less than one year after completion of the program; and sustained positive, clinically significant outcomes for veterans who have participated in such a program for not less than 180 days after completion of the program. The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall require each nonprofit mental health organization that enters into a partnership with the Secretary under subsection
(a)to submit to the Secretary a description of the outcomes from such partnership, including the following: The number of veterans who participate in programs of the organization to facilitate post-traumatic growth, including the number of veterans who drop out before completion of the program. The types of mental or behavioral health conditions of veterans who participate in such programs. The percentage of veterans who experience significant post-traumatic growth. Such other topics as the Secretary may require to track post-traumatic growth. For purposes of this section, post-traumatic growth means positive responses described in paragraph
(3)experienced after, and often as a result of, a traumatic event or a major life crisis. Post-traumatic growth under this section shall be measured through self-reported scales, use of the post-traumatic stress disorder checklist set forth in the most recent edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders published by the American Psychiatric Association, and such other metrics as the Secretary considers necessary. Positive responses described in this paragraph are positive responses in one or more areas of life, including the following: An appreciation of and for life. Improved relationships with others. Realization of new possibilities in life. Realization of personal strength. Spiritual change. Such other areas that the Secretary, in consultation with organizations specified in subsection (b), considers necessary.