Suicide Prevention Month
Floor Speech
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Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak of a solemn topic, one of utmost importance for sure, and I want to thank my colleague and my friend, Kyrsten Sinema from Arizona, and for all the work that she is doing for the veterans' community and for hosting this Special Order.
Mr. Speaker, our Nation's veterans are our finest citizens, to whom we owe the most. Their sacrifice in defense of freedom allows us to stand here today in this chamber, a testament to our values and a symbol of hope.
All too often, we see our Nation's veterans struggle upon their return home. Issues with depression, substance abuse, and post- traumatic stress disorder serve as constant reminders of the price they paid to protect our way of life.
Tragically, we have seen a rising percentage of these heroes resorting to taking their own lives. This is beyond unacceptable and statistics paint a grim picture of this epidemic.
Between 2005 and 2015, Mr. Speaker, suicide rates for all veterans increased by 25 percent--25 percent between 2005 and 2015. Additionally, veterans account for nearly 15 percent of suicides in U.S. adults.
Mr. Speaker, we can do better, and we must do better. I am proud to stand here today with my colleagues in solidarity against veteran suicide. I am thankful for the establishment of the third Veterans Crisis Line call center to provide guidance, support, and critical resources to those in need. While steps are being taken to prevent veteran suicide, we still have a long way to go because one hero's death is one too many.
As Congresswoman Kyrsten Sinema had pointed out, Mr. Speaker, September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, but this issue will continue to transcend any time frame. For those who sacrificed for us, we owe them and will continue to fight to eradicate this public health crisis of veteran suicide.
Mr. Speaker, I want to, once again, thank Congresswoman Sinema for hosting this Special Order.
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