Suicide Prevention

WASHINGTON – The White House and Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) today launched the REACH national public health campaign aimed at empowering all Americans to play a critical role in preventing suicide.

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced today their support for the Suicide Prevention 988 expansion initiative, a new national three-digit emergency telephone number to access crisis call centers across the country for suicide prevention and mental health services, including the Veterans Crisis Line, by July 2022.

WASHINGTON – The U.S Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced today the release of the President’s Roadmap to Empower Veterans and End a National Tragedy of Suicide (PREVENTS), an historic, nationwide plan to raise awareness about mental health, connect Veterans and others at risk of suicide to federal and local resources, and facilitate focused and coordinated research into suicide.

VA Secretary Robert Wilkie praised members of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs today for setting the goal of getting important Veterans suicide prevention legislation passed before the end of the year.

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) recently partnered with the Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United States (EANGUS) to promote the availability of vital VA-developed education resources for suicide prevention, substance use and abuse and mental health education to current and former members of the National Guard.

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is joining organizations, communities, leaders and mental health professionals to observe World Mental Health Day Oct. 10.

The President’s Roadmap to Empower Veterans and End the National Tragedy of Suicide (PREVENTS) task force hosted a health care leadership meeting at the White House to bring together leaders across the health care industry to discuss their role in changing the culture around mental health, substance misuse and addiction.

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the White House Domestic Policy Council hosted an innovation summit Sept. 23 as part of The President’s Roadmap to Empower Veterans and End the National Tragedy of Suicide (PREVENTS) task force.

Today, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) released its 2019 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Report. It includes findings from its most recent analysis of Veteran suicide data from 2005 to 2017. The 2019 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report highlights suicide as a national problem, and urges all Americans to come together to address the larger social issues that contribute to the increased rates of suicide in the U.S.

VA Secretary Robert Wilkie this week encouraged House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to pass bipartisan legislation to help VA build partnerships with community groups who can offer direct help to Veterans who are at risk of harming themselves.

In observance of Suicide Prevention Month, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) encourages Veterans, community leaders, co-workers, families and friends to #BeThere — to help prevent suicide — by being present, supportive and strong for those who may be going through a difficult time.

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ recent release of the 2018 data for the Veterans Crisis Line (VCL) confirms the call center continues to outpace last year’s metrics by providing faster, more effective assistance to Veterans and their loved ones.