Congresswoman Lee, Senator Rosen Introduce Bipartisan, Bicameral Bill to End Veteran Suicide, Increase Access to VA Mental Health Resources
WASHINGTON – Today, Congresswoman Susie Lee (D-NV) and Congressman Tony Gonzales (R-TX) joined Senators Jacky Rosen (D-NV) and Kevin Cramer (R-ND) to introduce the VA Zero Suicide Demonstration Project Act of 2023. Congresswoman Lee and Congressman Gonzales introduced this legislation in the House alongside Congresswoman Jenniffer González Colón (R-PR), Congressman Richard Hudson (R-NC), Congressman Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan (D-MP), Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-CA), Congressman Colin Allred (D-TX), and Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin (D-MI).
This bipartisan, bicameral legislation would enhance the U.S. Department of Veterans (VA) Affairs' suicide prevention efforts by launching a Zero Suicide Initiative pilot program at five VA medical centers across the country. Created by the Henry Ford Health Care System, the Zero Suicide Initiative is a program founded on the belief that all suicides are preventable through proper care, patient safety, and system-wide efforts. This program will operate on the basis that even one suicide is too many.
"Every day in this country, seventeen veterans take their own lives. We need to do everything in our power to bring veteran deaths by suicide to zero," said Congresswoman Susie Lee. "This legislation delivers a proven, system-wide approach to close gaps, improve communication, and increase accountability within the VA, so that no veteran slips through the cracks. Our nation's veterans deserve nothing less."
"As a Navy veteran, I know that not all injuries are physical," said Congressman Tony Gonzales. "We lose 17 veterans to suicide every day, but even one is too many. Our men and women who have selflessly served our country deserve better. The VA Zero Suicide Demonstration Project Act works to bolster VA suicide prevention efforts and improve the way our VA system approaches mental health."
"Nevada's veterans have made immeasurable sacrifices risking their health and well-being to protect our country, and these heroes deserve access to the best mental health resources available," said Senator Rosen. "With veteran deaths by suicide occurring at an alarming rate, our bipartisan legislation will help address this problem by supporting veterans' access to the mental health services they need."
"North Dakota veterans bravely served our country, and taking care of them includes taking care of their mental health," said Senator Cramer. "Drawing upon the success of the Zero Suicide Initiative, this pilot program will bring suicide prevention resources to VA health centers and veterans in need of care."
"The VFW supports the VA Zero Suicide Demonstration Project Act of 2023 because this is an evidence-based suicide solution. This multi-layered approach consists of continuous suicide screening at all health care touchpoints and suicide specific treatments while maintaining consistent communication with the veteran. Removing the stigma of discussing suicide and fostering a healthy conversation can lead to a goal of zero suicide," said Meggan Thomas, Associate Director at Veterans of Foreign Wars.
"Combating the veteran suicide epidemic remains a national priority for DAV and our million-plus members. Speaking from firsthand experience, it's simply unacceptable that veterans are 57% more likely to die by suicide than those who have never served. We applaud Rep. Lee's leadership in introducing this important bipartisan legislation and are hopeful that the Zero Suicide Initiative framework will be a powerful tool in reducing these preventable tragedies," said Joe Parsetich, DAV National Commander.
"The American Psychiatric Association endorses and supports the VA Zero Suicide Demonstration Project Act. The legislation would increase access to safer and concurrent suicide care by implementing Zero Suicide pilot programs at five VA medical centers across the country," said APA CEO and Medical Director Saul Levin, M.D., M.P.A. "This important legislation will help foster a cultural shift toward comprehensive suicide treatment and represent a strong step in our ongoing efforts to give those who defend our country the support and resources they deserve."
"We must do more to support our service members, who have sacrificed on behalf of our country," said Hannah Wesolowski, Chief Advocacy Officer at NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness. "NAMI is grateful to Rep. Susie Lee for the introduction of the VA Zero Suicide Demonstration Project Act, which will provide our veterans with invisible wounds with needed mental health resources and improve access to critical suicide prevention programs."
The Zero Suicide model has seen enormous success, with some health care systems having experienced reductions of up to 75% in suicide rates among patients in the health care system, while generally the nation faced an increased rate of suicide. The bipartisan, bicameral VA Zero Suicide Demonstration Project Act is endorsed by key national and Nevada organizations, including the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), the Disabled Americans Veterans (DAV), the American Psychiatric Association (APA), the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), and the Nevada Veterans Association.
You can read more about the VA Zero Suicide Demonstration Project Act of 2023 here.
###