Allred Co-leads Introduction of Bipartisan, Bicameral Bill to Address the Mental Health Crisis Among Veterans

Statement

Congressman Colin Allred (D-TX-32), a member of the Veterans' Affairs Committee, helped lead the introduction of the VA Zero Suicide Demonstration Project Act. This bipartisan legislation would implement a Zero Suicide Initiative pilot program at five U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical centers across the country, including one that must serve primarily veterans who live in rural areas. Allred was joined in introducing the legislation by Reps. Susie Lee (D-NV-03), Tony Gonzales (R-TX-23) and Anthony Gonzalez (R-OH-16).

U.S. Senators Jacky Rosen (D-NV) and Kevin Cramer (R-ND), both members of the Senate Armed Services Committee, led the introduction in the Senate.

"We can never repay our debt of gratitude to those who have served our country which is why we must keep our promise to veterans when they return home," said Congressman Allred. "We have an urgent need to address veteran suicide, and we must be considering innovative solutions that are backed up with strong evidence to ensure we don't lose any more veterans. That is why I'm so honored to co-lead the introduction of this bill that will establish a pilot program to see how we can best serve our veterans to prevent veteran suicide."

"As a veteran, I know not all our injuries are physical. On average, we lose 17 veterans to suicide every day -- and that's 17 too many," said Congressman Tony Gonzales (TX-23). "The VA Zero Suicide Demonstration Act works to bolster VA suicide prevention efforts and improves the way our VA system approaches mental health."

"Every day in this country, seventeen veterans take their own lives -- but even one is too much," said Congresswoman Lee. "We need to do everything in our power to bring veteran deaths by suicide to zero. Of the 17 veteran deaths by suicide each day, on average, seven are among active VA patients. While we must ensure all our veterans are getting the mental health care and the resources they need, we must make a commitment to eliminating deaths by suicide among those within the VA system's care. The Zero Suicide Initiative offers a proven, system-wide approach to close gaps, improve communication, and increase accountability within the VA, so that no veteran slips through the cracks. The goal is to expand this program to reach every veteran in America. For those men and women who put their lives on the line for our freedom, both Democrats and Republicans have to come together to support this bill. We all acknowledge that we owe each and every veteran all the resources they need to recover from the wounds of war - visible and invisible."

"After serving our country, no veteran should feel that they lack access to the lifesaving mental health treatment they may need," said Congressman Anthony Gonzalez (OH-16). "I am glad to join my colleagues in introducing this legislation that will launch a Zero Suicide Initiative Pilot Program at the VA. This program has seen wide success at other health care facilities and its implementation at the VA is critical to combat the troubling rise of veteran suicide."