[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 87 (Thursday, May 23, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E667]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          IN SUPPORT OF H.R. 2898 THE ``BUDDY CHECK WEEK ACT''

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. SHEILA JACKSON LEE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 23, 2019

  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Madam Speaker, yesterday, I introduced H.R. 2898, 
the ``Buddy Check Week Act of 2019,'' which provides support and 
training to organize outreach events and educate veterans on how to 
conduct peer wellness checks and recognize signs of problems in fellow 
veterans that indicate suicide risks.
  The Buddy Check Week Act directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, 
in consultation with veterans, non-profits that serve veterans, mental 
health experts, and members of the Armed Forces, to develop and 
implement collaborative education opportunities for veterans to learn 
how to conduct wellness checks.
  A wellness check involves contacting veterans who may be 
demonstrating signs of having difficulty and making sure they receive 
visits to see how they are doing and provide support for any needs.
  The VA will provide online or in-person training to individuals, as 
well as provide opportunities for Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs) 
to learn how to: train individuals to conduct peer wellness checks, 
transfer phone calls to the Veterans Crisis Line, and be resilient when 
handling a veteran in crisis.
  The bill inspired by the American Legion's ``Buddy Check National 
Week of Calling,'' held March 11-16, 2019.
  The American Legion unveiled this new initiative to connect past and 
present veterans and ensure that they receive the care they need.
  A Buddy Check Week will provide the time, space, and resources needed 
to help these veterans through personal interaction and kindness.
  This legislation will amplify the work of the American Legion and 
support efforts to conduct outreach to veterans across the nation.
  Madam Speaker, veteran suicide is a pervasive and critical issue, 
threatening the lives of many of our bravest and most patriotic 
Americans.
  Although, the VA has screening protocols designed to aid veterans and 
stage suicide interventions, some 6,000 veterans a year tropically fall 
through the cracks of this system, finding themselves without the 
necessary aid and resources that were promised to them by the VA and 
commit suicide.
  Many Suicide Prevention Coordinators and offices specializing in 
veterans affairs report being overworked and unable to keep up with 
their many responsibilities.
  On average, about 20 veterans die every day by suicide, and since 
2017, 25 veterans have taken their lives on the grounds of Veterans 
Affairs hospitals, including seven this year and at least four last 
month, actively seeking help from an unprepared agency before 
committing suicide.
  It is long past time for the federal government to provide the 
necessary legislation to address the troubling uptick in veteran 
suicides and help improve suicide prevention and mental health 
resources at the at VA.
  To truly address this issue, we need to make sure that the VA and 
veterans aid organizations have the tools needed to serve every veteran 
that walks through their doors.
  It is critically important that we provide training on the signs that 
a veteran may be in crisis and the needed make it easier to get them 
the help that they need.
  I believe this bill is a step in the right direction toward making 
sure that happens.
  Madam Speaker, it is unconscionable that a veteran will commit 
suicide every hour.
  The fact that veterans make up just 20 percent of the male 
population, yet veterans make up close to 32 percent of all male 
suicides is shocking and must spur our action.
  It does not have to be this way, Madam Speaker, and we can do 
something about it, starting with the passage of H.R. 2898, the ``Buddy 
Check Week Act.''

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