Congressman Steven Horsford and Congresswoman Deb Haaland Host Veterans Suicide Prevention Roundtable

Washington, D.C. — In recognition of National Suicide Prevention Month, Congressman Steven Horsford (D-NV)and Congresswoman Deb Haaland (D-NM) hosted a Veterans Panel and Policy Discussion to give veterans and service providers the chance to share their experience helping those struggling with suicidal ideation and offer their perspective on policy solutions that can help save lives and empower veterans to live healthy and meaningful lives.

More than 6,000 veterans each year have taken their own lives since 2008, according to the Department of Veterans Affairs. And despite Congress spending hundreds of millions of dollars supporting research and mental health services, the veteran suicide rate remains relatively stagnant. While veterans experience higher rates of suicide, we cannot approach this crisis with a narrow understanding of the problem and we must look for solutions involve both our veterans and the greater community.

"As Members of Congress, veterans service providers and concerned citizens, each one of us has a role to play in developing the community support that can help save the lives of those who served our nation," Congressman Horsford said. "I hope today can serve as an opportunity to bring to light the flaws and setbacks of Congress' current approach to suicide prevention policy, and yield new ideas to improve the federal government's response to the veteran's suicide crisis."

"One veteran life lost to suicide is one too many. Both of my parents served our country and my dad now rests in Arlington Cemetery, so ensuring we fulfill the promises we made our veterans is especially personal to me. We are not only here to raise awareness, but to have a fruitful discussion to bring forth real solutions to address the veteran suicide crisis," said Congresswoman Deb Haaland, a member of the House Armed Services Committee.

"I am alarmed by the rising numbers of suicide within our veteran community," said Congresswoman Ann Kuster (NH-02) who previously served on the House Veterans Affairs Committee. "The high rate of suicide among our nation's veterans is a stain on our collective conscience – it is our responsibility to ensure these men and women have access to the mental health services they need upon returning to civilian life. I was glad to join my colleagues and hear from experts today to discuss solutions."

The panel was comprised of George Mitchell, Deputy Director of Health Policy for The American Legion; Adrian Atizado, Deputy National Legislative Director for Disabled American Veterans; Roscoe Butler, Associate Legislative Director for Paralyzed Veterans of America; Megan Bland, Senior Professional Staff for the Subcommittee on Health within the House Veteran's Affairs Committee; Sharon Sutton, Executive Vice President of Program Planning and Delivery for LivingWorks; Cherissa Jackson, Chief Medical Executive of AMVETS; and Richard Egan, Suicide Prevention Training and Outreach Facilitator for the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services.