Brindisi Introduces Legislation to Improve VA Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Resources

Press Release

Congressman Anthony Brindisi (NY-22) today announced his new bipartisan legislation to address the troubling uptick in veteran suicides and help improve suicide prevention and mental health resources at the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Brindisi led Republican Congressmen Jim Banks (IN-03) and Mike Bost (IL-12) to introduce the Support for Suicide Prevention Coordinators Act (H.R. 2333). The bill requires the Comptroller General of the United States to conduct an assessment of the responsibilities, workload, and vacancy rates of the Department of Veterans Affairs Suicide Prevention Coordinators.

Suicide Prevention Coordinators are the face of the VA's efforts to combat veteran suicide. They identify high-risk veterans and ensure they receive appropriate care, conduct outreach, and promote awareness and suicide prevention best practices within VA, among other responsibilities. Many Suicide Prevention Coordinators report being overworked and unable to keep up with their many responsibilities. The Support for Suicide Prevention Coordinators Act would help ensure these men and women have the tools and resources they need to provide veterans with critical mental health resources.

"20 veterans die by suicide every day. This is wrong and unacceptable, and we must do more," said Congressman Brindisi. "It is our responsibility to ensure every veteran has a place to turn when he or she needs help. Our bill is an important step to improve VA suicide prevention resources and ensure all veterans have access to the life-saving mental health care they need."

"It's clear we're not doing enough to support our veterans when they need it most, but the truth is there's a lot we still don't know about veteran suicides," said Congressman Mark Takano, Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs. "That's why I'm proud to support this legislation to require GAO to review training, workload, and staffing at VA to ensure this critical workforce is prepared to care for veterans in crisis."

"Only about 7% of Americans have worn our nation's uniform, yet each day 20 veterans commit suicide," said Congressman Banks. "At the forefront of this national epidemic are the caring VA Suicide Prevention Coordinators. I am proud to co-lead this bipartisan legislation that will help those who work tirelessly to save the lives of our beloved warriors. We must do more to prevent veteran suicide and this bill is a great step."

"As a veteran and a member of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, I believe we have a duty to ensure our heroes considering suicide have access to the tools and resources they need to know they are not alone," said Congressman Bost. "But we have our work cut out for us. It is truly a national tragedy that 20 veterans die every day due to suicide. We need to do better to support our veterans and service members who are struggling with mental illness. We must do better to provide the resources to our veterans who are struggling, and this bipartisan legislation is a step in the right direction."

Brindisi's legislation is a key effort to address the concerning increase in veteran suicides. In the last 18 months, at least 23 veterans have lost their lives to suicide at VA medical centers, and an estimated 20 veterans die of suicide each day.

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