Bipartisan Effort Targets Veteran Suicide Crisis with New Legislation

EXCLUSIVE: A coalition of lawmakers from both parties is uniting to introduce a new bill aimed at bolstering suicide prevention initiatives for veterans. This legislative effort comes as alarming numbers of veterans succumb to suicide every day, prompting lawmakers to advocate for enhanced support systems.

“Too many veterans are dying by suicide each day, and we must intensify our efforts to stop this tragedy,” stated Rep. Greg Landsman, a Republican from Ohio spearheading the initiative. He elaborated, “Focusing the resources of the Department of Veterans Affairs on the most successful programs can lead to a significant decrease in these heart-wrenching and unacceptable rates. Our veterans deserve the highest standard of care available.”

Landsman plans to present the bill titled “What Works at Preventing Veteran Suicide Act.” This proposed legislation will compel the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs to establish new pilot programs and grant opportunities dedicated to eradicating veteran suicide.

Objectives of the New Legislation

The proposed law aims to make the Secretary of the VA accountable for setting clear and measurable goals regarding funding and evaluating the effectiveness of various programs designed to prevent veteran suicides. Landsman emphasized the necessity of assessing how well these funding programs are performing in their mission to save lives.

Rep. Morgan Luttrell, a Republican from Texas and former Navy SEAL, expressed his commitment to addressing the veteran suicide epidemic. He remarked, “Veteran suicide is a crisis we cannot ignore. As someone who has served alongside the best our nation offers, I’m dedicated to driving that number down to zero. This bill is about accountability and outcomes. We need to determine which programs save lives and ensure we invest in solutions that provide our veterans with the support they require.”

Military Voices Advocate for Change

Rep. Derrick Van Orden, also a veteran and a Republican from Wisconsin, added his perspective on the urgent need for action. He shared, “I have lost numerous friends and comrades to suicide. Unless we utilize every available resource to combat this issue, we are falling short. This bill guarantees that the VA prioritizes proven programs to fight veteran suicide. Each veteran lost represents an immense tragedy, and we owe it to them to get this right.”

Staggering Statistics on Veteran Suicides

According to the most recent National Veteran Suicide Prevention Report, veterans account for an alarming proportion of national suicide rates. The report, released in December 2024, analyzed data from 2001 to 2022. It revealed that 6,407 out of 47,891 nationwide suicides in 2022, which represents 13.3%, involved veterans.

This statistic is particularly concerning given that military veterans make up only 6% of the adult population in the United States, as reported by the U.S. Census Bureau. The disturbing trend shows a rate of approximately 17.6 veteran suicides occurring each day.

Support for the Legislative Initiative

The proposed legislation has received endorsements from significant organizations, including the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans, and Save A Warrior. Jack Retzer, founder and president of Save A Warrior, expressed gratitude for the initiative, stating, “We are proud to support this important bill and stand ready to assist in its advancement. We appreciate the ongoing leadership on this issue and the commitment to those who have served our country honorably.”

Furthermore, bipartisan support continues to grow, with Democratic Rep. Chris Deluzio from Pennsylvania joining the effort. He stated, “We must employ all tested and effective strategies to address the suicide crisis confronting America’s veterans. I am thankful to partner with Congressman Landsman in introducing legislation that will formulate more guidelines for suicide prevention pilot programs and outreach through the VA. I will persistently advocate for the welfare of my fellow veterans.”

A Call to Action

The introduction of the “What Works at Preventing Veteran Suicide Act” underscores a collective recognition of the urgent need for targeted interventions designed to safeguard the mental health of veterans. As lawmakers and veterans unite in this endeavor, the hope is that meaningful change will follow, ultimately reducing the devastating toll of veteran suicides across the nation.