Noteboom The Law Firm

Subcommittee examines VA’s Progress in Suicide Prevention Efforts

July 23, 2010 - Two weeks ago the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee held a hearing to determine what developments have occurred in the Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) suicide prevention outreach efforts. The subcommittee specifically focused on two issues:

• The VA's ability to educate the public of the VA's suicide prevention services; and
• The effectiveness of the media campaign encouraging veterans to seek VA help.

The Joshua Omvig Veterans Suicide Prevention Act (Public Law 110-110) mandated the VA build a program aimed at encouraging veterans who are battling suicide to seek help at the VA. The VA advertised its suicide hotline via:

• Washington, D.C. buses;
• Washington D.C. subways; and
• Television public Service Announcements.

Young veterans suffer from many unseen wounds, and these unseen wounds carry stigmas with them often preventing veterans from seeking treatment. The VA, then, must be proactive in bringing treatment to these veterans since it is unlikely the veterans will come to the VA. The subcommittee stressed the importance of veterans not feeling alone in their time of need.

The subcommittee considered many things including testimony from multiple witnesses regarding improvements the VA could make in their offered services. The subcommittee noted the VA's considerable progress in addressing suicides among veterans. The committee, however, made note they will not stop in their efforts until they have developed the most effective suicide prevention program possible.