[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 155 (Wednesday, September 27, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1280]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         URGING CONGRESS TO ADDRESS EPIDEMIC OF VETERAN SUICIDE

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                          HON. MARC A. VEASEY

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 27, 2017

  Mr. VEASEY. Mr. Speaker, as a member of the House Armed Services 
Committee, I work to ensure that our service members receive all the 
resources they need when they volunteer to defend the United States. 
But it is important that Congress not only provides them with support 
during their service, but in the years after they faithfully executed 
their duties as a member of the Armed Services. That is why I rise 
today to address the epidemic of veteran suicide in our country.
  September is recognized as ``National Suicide Awareness Month'' and 
currently our veterans are suffering from a substantially higher rate 
of suicide than the general population. According to a 2014 report by 
the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), 20 veterans take their lives 
every day, a rate that is 150 percent greater than the general 
population. Although the VA has dedicated a significant amount of 
effort and resources to address veteran suicide, the fact remains that 
of the 20 average veteran suicides that occur on a daily basis, 14 were 
not utilizing VA services. As the 2016 VA report ``Suicide Among 
Veterans and Other Americans'' explains, up to 22 percent of Post-9/11 
veterans have depression disorders, and up to 43 percent of all 
struggle with symptoms of mental health issues, such as drinking 
excessively, smoking, and/or sleeplessness. In addition, female 
veterans and those living in rural areas face a higher risk of suicide 
and we must address the barriers to care for these populations.
  It is clear that we must extend more resources to help our veterans 
and prevent the unnecessary loss of life. The VA's 2016 study and 
upgrading crisis hotlines are steps in the right direction, fully 
addressing veteran suicide remains a complex issue that will require a 
multi-faceted approach. But their suffering does not have to continue 
and we must reverse the trend of veteran suicide.
  Raising awareness about the issue begins in Congress, but every day 
citizens can also join in the effort year-round. Moreover, the effort 
to raise awareness about veteran suicide will have benefits across our 
society as a whole, contributing to the de-stigmatization of mental 
health issues. It is no secret that the stigma surrounding mental 
health prevents many veterans from obtaining care for these issues, 
forcing our country's heroes and heroines to suffer in silence. De-
stigmatizing mental health care is critical to open up dialogue about a 
pervasive issue and provides opportunities for treatment and prevention 
of suicide. In addition, Congress must provide the VA with additional 
resources so that they better serve the female and rural veteran 
population with child care services and extensions of specialized care 
to remote, rural areas. We must continue to support innovation within 
the VA so that the agency will be more willing to embrace new 
approaches to treatment, such as canine service animals, art and 
outdoor therapies.
  It goes without saying that we owe our veterans a tremendous debt for 
their service to our nation in defense of the freedoms we all enjoy. In 
return, we must care for them as a demonstration of our nation's core 
values. Raising awareness of the suicide epidemic and de-stigmatizing 
care throughout society, in addition to embracing innovative modes of 
therapy and furthering the VA's outreach will go a long way to honoring 
the service of veterans' to our nation. I urge my colleagues to join me 
in ensuring that we address the veteran suicide epidemic immediately.

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