Suicide Prevention
Currently, 17 veterans, Reservists, and National Guard members die by suicide each day – that is why the Committee has made reducing and preventing veteran suicide its top priority. In January, Chairman Takano announced the Committee’s seven-pillar approach to prevent veteran suicide. Under this framework, the Committee has been able to take a holistic approach to developing evidence-based solutions that will help veterans in crisis. The House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs has already begun this work – and on September 10, the Committee will meet to discuss 25 truly comprehensive bills to address this crisis.
See below to learn about the work the Committee has done to address every angle, intersection, or factor that may lead to suicide – including introducing new legislation and bringing experts on board to help spearhead the Committee’s efforts.
Latest News
September 23: The House of Representatives PASSES S. 785 and the Veterans' COMPACT Act
September 14: Chairman Takano Announces Bicameral Agreement on House-led Veteran Suicide Prevention Legislation
September 2: Chairman Takano Announces 10 New Bills to be Considered at Hearing on Veteran Suicide Prevention
September 1: Chairman Takano Marks Beginning of Suicide Prevention Month
August 24: Chairman Takano Announces Hearing on Comprehensive Veteran Suicide Prevention Legislation
February 6: Chairman Takano Welcomes Clinical Psychologist to Spearhead Committee Strategy on Reducing Veteran Suicide
So far this Congress, Committee members have introduced and passed seventeen bills to prevent veteran suicide. (*Passed Senate, **Became Law)
H.R. 95 – Homeless Veterans Families Act (Rep. Brownley)
H.R. 299 – Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act** (Chairman Takano)
H.R. 840 – Veterans’ Access to Child Care Act (Rep. Brownley)
H.R. 1200 – Veterans’ Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act** (Rep. Luria)
H.R. 1812 – Vet Center Eligibility Act (Ranking Member Roe)
H.R. 2109 – BRAVE Act (Rep. Rice)
H.R. 2333 – Support for Suicide Prevention Coordinators Act** (Rep. Brindisi)
H.R. 2372 – Veterans’ Care Quality Transparency Act (Rep. Underwood)
H.R. 2340 – FIGHT Veteran Suicides Act (Rep. Rose)
H.R. 2359 – Whole Veteran Act* (Rep. Lamb)
H.R. 3224 – Deborah Sampson Act (Rep. Brownley)
H.R. 3504 – Ryan Kules Specially Adaptive Housing Improvement Act** (Rep. Bilirakis)
H.R. 3530 – Improving Confidence in Veterans’ Care Act (Rep. Cloud)
H.R. 4305 – Puppies Assisting Wounded Servicemembers (PAWS) for Veterans Therapy Act (Rep. Stivers)
H.R. 4360 – VA Overpayment Accountability Act (Rep. Kim)
Bills Introduced
VA Zero Suicide Demonstration Project Act
VA Clinical Training in Evidence-based treatments And Military (TEAM) Culture Act
VA Police Improvement and Accountability Act
Solid Start Reporting Act
VA Telehealth Expansion Act
REACH VET Reporting Act
Peer Support for Veteran Families Act
Veterans’ Access to Online Treatment Act
Access to Suicide Prevention Coordinators Act
American Indian and Alaska Native Veterans Mental Health ActLethal Means to Safety Training Act
VA Serious Mental Illness Act
VA Emergency Department Safety Planning Act
Veterans Crisis Line
The Veterans Crisis Line (VCL) is available 24/7 to help veterans experiencing a mental health crisis. The VCL can be reached by:
• Calling 1-800-273-8255 and pressing 1
• Visiting veteranscrisisline.net/chat
• Texting 838255