Young Legislation Strengthens Veteran Resources Addressing Suicide Prevention, Crisis Resources

Press Release

Iowa Congressman David Young today introduced the No Veterans Crisis Line Call Should Go Unanswered Act (H.R.5392), legislation providing necessary responsiveness and performance improvements to the Veterans Crisis Line, which is the confidential, toll free hotline for veterans seeking suicide prevention and crisis resources help from Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) responders.

Congressman Young's legislation comes in response to concerns voiced by Iowa veterans about unanswered calls, emails or other communications, and failed attempts to receive help from the Veterans Crisis Line. The experiences veterans conveyed to Congressman Young directly dispute previous assurances from the VA to congressional veterans affairs committees that problems like these had been addressed. The legislation also follows an investigation by the VA Office of the Inspector General, which revealed a lack of quality control measures to ensure communications are answered promptly and response efforts are properly documented.

"Our men and women in uniform sacrifice a great deal to keep our country safe and secure, and we owe it to them to provide the best health care possible," Congressman Young said. "When a veteran is in crisis and is reaching out for help, we have to guarantee someone is there for them 100 percent of the time. No excuses. Any instance of a veteran having trouble with the Veterans Crisis Line is simply unacceptable. This legislation requires the VA to provide and implement a plan to improve responsiveness and performance of the crisis line, an important step to ensure our veterans have mental health resources they need."

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