National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month

Floor Speech

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Mr. BOST. Madam Speaker, I rise today to speak during National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. We must all do our part to ensure that those who are struggling with mental health and suicidal thoughts can receive the help they need.

That includes those who have served our country heroically and live with the invisible wounds of their service.

We are losing 17 veterans a day to suicide. One life lost is one too many.

As chairman of the Veterans' Affairs Committee and a veteran myself, I am committed to putting an end to this epidemic and reducing the number of veteran deaths by suicide.

There should be no wrong door for mental health.

There are many options available to veterans, both VA and community partnerships. It is about finding the right fit for each veteran.

Suicide is preventable, so please reach out.

To all my fellow veterans, if you need help or are in crisis, or family members, if you know that a veteran that you love is in crisis, please call 988 and press 1 to reach the Veterans Crisis Line for confidential help.

Don't make a permanent decision for a temporary problem. You are not alone.

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