Underwood Urges VA to Prioritize Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Services for Veterans During Coronavirus Pandemic

Statement

Today, Representative Lauren Underwood (IL-14) continued her work to improve mental health and suicide prevention services for veterans by urging the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to prioritize mental health and suicide prevention services for veterans during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. On March 22, the VA reported that calls to the Veterans Crisis Line (VCL) have increased by 12%, and 20% of all calls are related to coronavirus. In the letter to Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert Wilkie, Underwood expressed concern that the coronavirus pandemic could impact veterans' mental health and risk for death by suicide. Underwood requested the VA provide a plan forward for addressing the long-term and short-term impacts of the coronavirus pandemic on veterans' mental health and on the veteran suicide crisis.

"Veterans face unique challenges when it comes to both mental health and suicide prevention--challenges that may be compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic. Suicide rates among veterans, especially those who do not use VA care, are already at crisis levels. It is essential that VA has the resources it needs to handle increased numbers of veterans in crisis and, at the same time, is planning ahead to provide for their long-term health and safety," Underwood wrote.

As a member of the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, the Servicewomen & Women Veterans Congressional Caucus, and the Women Veterans Task Force, Underwood has worked to improve veterans' access to quality care and has worked to help ensure veterans receive the care they have earned. In May 2019, Underwood's bipartisan legislation to ensure high-quality mental health and suicide prevention care for veterans passed the U.S House of Representatives unanimously. The Veterans' Care Quality Transparency Act helps ensure both the VA and outside providers are offering veterans high-quality mental health and suicide prevention services. In September, Underwood introduced the ACE Veterans Act and the Post-9/11 Veteran Suicide Prevention Counseling Act to improve access to quality care for veterans.

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