Chairman Moran Convenes Hearing on Preventing Veteran Suicide

Press Release

U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) -- Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans' Affairs and Related Agencies -- convened the subcommittee's second hearing of the 115th Congress last week to address how Congress, the Department of Veterans Affairs and community partners can work together to meet the needs of veterans in crisis.

"We must make certain no veteran feels abandoned by the country they served when they make the brave decision to seek mental healthcare services," Chairman Moran said. "Congress must better understand how to support the Department, the Department should seek assistance from community partners and embrace the helpful findings of outside experts, and veterans' support groups must be vocal about the needs of in-crisis veterans and their families. I hope this hearing helps bring us together to end veteran suicide -- even one suicide is too many."

Witnesses included:

Dr. Carolyn M. Clancy, M.D.
Veterans Health Administration Deputy Undersecretary for Health for Organizational Excellence
Dr. Harold S. Kudler, M.D.
Veterans Health Administration Chief Consultant for Mental Health Services
Stephanie A. Davis, Ph.D.
Veterans Health Administration VA Eastern Kansas Health Care System
Suicide Prevention Coordinator and Staff Psychologist
Melissa D. Jarboe
Military Veteran Project Chief Executive Officer
The Honorable Michael L. Missal
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Inspector General
Rajeev Ramchand, Ph.D.
Rand Corporation Senior Behavioral Scientist

Source