[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 10]
[Senate]
[Page 14511]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                      SUICIDE PREVENTION AWARENESS

  Mr. TESTER. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
proceed to the immediate consideration of S. Res. 262, submitted 
earlier today by Senators Donnelly and Isakson.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 262) supporting the goals and ideals 
     of suicide prevention awareness.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.


                        SUICIDE PREVENTION MONTH

  Mr. SANDERS. Mr. President, September is Suicide Prevention Month. As 
chairman of the Senate Committee on Veteran's Affairs, I would like to 
take a moment to discuss the importance of suicide prevention and ways 
in which we can all help our Nation's veterans cope with the invisible 
wounds of war.
  Serving in defense of our Nation, particularly during a time of war, 
can place tremendous strains on servicemen and women, sometimes leading 
to mental health conditions ranging from mild depression to severe 
post-traumatic stress disorder. These conditions are reasonable 
reactions to very abnormal situations.
  While behavioral health conditions rarely lead to suicide, it is 
clear the consequences of failing to properly address and treat these 
conditions are dire. According to a report released earlier this year 
by the Department of Veterans Affairs, 22 veterans take their own lives 
each day. This is tragic and unacceptable.
  For veterans and their families struggling with mental health 
conditions, there is hope. Help is available through VA and dozens of 
non-profit organizations who have made it their mission to serve those 
who have served our Nation.
  VA has made great strides to improve its suicide prevention efforts. 
As of June, the Department has hired over 1,600 new mental health 
professionals to provide care and treatment to our veterans. These 
added positions are essential as VA works to meet the requirements 
established by Congress to provide initial mental health evaluations 
within 24 hours and comprehensive evaluations within 14 days of a 
veteran's request. Moreover, VA has put a priority on patient-centered 
care, which includes mental health as part of primary care and involves 
family members in the treatment process.
  Additionally, VA operates the Veterans Crisis Line, a critical 
resource for veterans and their loved ones. The Veterans Crisis Line is 
a toll-free, confidential resource that connects veterans in distress 
with qualified, caring VA responders. Family members and friends can 
also use this resource to learn how to recognize the signs of suicide, 
speak to a suicide prevention coordinator, and receive information 
regarding the services available in their area.
  The Veterans Crisis Line has a history of success. Approximately 93 
percent of all Veterans Crisis Line referrals are made to callers with 
a history of using VA health care facilities in the past 12 months. 
Veterans who call the hotline are more likely to access intervention 
and treatment services following a rescue through the hotline. More 
importantly, those who have been rescued or received a referral for 
follow up care have a reduced rate of repeated suicide attempts over a 
12-month period.
  In addition to VA, veteran service organizations, non-profit 
organizations, and local health care providers can also help. In my 
home State of Vermont, the Vermont Veterans Outreach Program, operated 
by the Vermont National Guard, has played a critical role in supporting 
the needs of Guard members and veterans, and helping to prevent 
suicide. I am proud to have secured the initial funding to establish 
this program in 2007 and am thankful for their efforts. Aside from 
working directly with veterans and their families to determine their 
needs, the outreach program provides a liaison to help these 
individuals better navigate the VA system. Team members meet frequently 
with VA officials to ensure they are aware of any new VA initiatives in 
order to better inform veterans and their families of the options for 
care and support available. The Vermont Veterans Outreach Program has 
helped countless veterans return from war to become successful 
contributing members of their communities. I am tremendously proud of 
the outreach programs' work and am pleased other States have begun 
similar programs.
  Just as these organizations provide assistance, friends and family 
can also ensure veterans receive the help they need. We must each be 
aware of the signs, symptoms, and risk factors of suicide. We must not 
be afraid to take action to assist friends and neighbors in crisis. 
Suicide is preventable and we all have a role to play. Providing 
support can mean lending a compassionate ear, listening for concerning 
answers, and guiding veterans to resources that can help.
  Even one veteran taking his or her life is too many. As a long 
standing advocate for veterans, I will continue to work to counter 
issues that prevent veterans and their families from seeking care, such 
as the stigma surrounding mental illness, negative perceptions of 
treatment and other barriers that may result in prematurely dropping 
out of treatment.
  I ask that my colleagues join me in committing themselves to ensuring 
that the brave men and women who have worn our Nation's uniform receive 
timely access to high quality mental health care. Our veterans have 
already sacrificed so much in defense of our country. They should not 
be left to fend for themselves when coping with the invisible wounds of 
war.
  Mr. TESTER. I ask unanimous consent that the resolution be agreed to, 
the preamble be agreed to, and the motions to reconsider be considered 
made and laid upon the table, with no intervening action or debate.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 262) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  (The resolution, with its preamble, is printed in today's Record 
under ``Submitted Resolutions.'')

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