[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 160 (Thursday, September 27, 2018)]
[House]
[Page H9140]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION MONTH

  (Mr. PAULSEN asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. PAULSEN. Mr. Speaker, September is National Suicide Prevention 
Month, reminding us that we lose too many to suicide each and every 
day. Unfortunately, suicide is all too common among the men and women 
who have served our Nation in uniform, a population that is 
particularly at risk of suicide.
  In fact, the VA estimates that 20 veterans and servicemembers lose 
their lives each and every day, and veterans are 22 percent more likely 
to commit suicide than nonvets. Among female veterans, the risk of 
suicide is a staggering 250 percent higher.
  Veterans are just 10 percent of the U.S. population but constitute 20 
percent of suicides. Measures like the Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention 
Act, which we have already passed into law, are already making a 
difference, but even one veteran suicide is too many.
  We should always remind our veterans, Mr. Speaker, and those who are 
in need, that there are always ways to get help. Veterans can always 
call the VA's crisis hotline 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

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