Van Orden, Landsman Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Strengthen Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Support for Veterans

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Derrick Van Orden (WI-03), Congressman Greg Landsman (D-OH), Congressman Morgan Luttrell (R-TX), and Congressman Chris Deluzio (D-PA) introduced bipartisan legislation to strengthen suicide prevention and mental health support for veterans. The What Works for Preventing Veteran Suicide Act will require the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to establish clear and measurable objectives and implement best practices for suicide prevention pilots and grant programs that would allow for more effective data collection.

“We are still losing record numbers of our veterans every day to suicide,” said Rep. Van Orden. “Until we do everything we can to prevent veteran suicide, we are not doing enough. I am proud to stand with Rep. Landsman in introducing this bipartisan legislation to ensure VA is directing their efforts to the most effective suicide prevention treatments and programs. Our vets had our backs in when they were in uniform. We must do everything we can to have theirs now.”

“This bill will save countless lives,” said Rep. Landsman. “Too many veterans are dying by suicide every day, and we have to do more to prevent it. Many veterans are dealing with severe mental health issues and deserve the best care possible. If we focus the VA’s resources on the most effective programs, we can make a significant impact in reducing these heartbreaking and entirely unacceptable rates of veteran suicide.” 

“Veteran suicide is a crisis we cannot afford to overlook, especially as the numbers continue to climb,” said Rep. Luttrell. “As someone who served alongside many of these brave men and women, I am committed to ensuring we bring this number down and eventually to zero. This bill will help us understand which programs are truly working, so we can maximize on those efforts and save lives.”

"The crisis of veteran suicide demands all of our best efforts, and that means using proven and effective tactics and tools to save lives,” said Rep. Deluzio. “I'm glad to partner with Congressman Landsman to create more guidelines for suicide prevention pilots and outreach through the VA. I will never stop fighting to protect and serve my fellow veterans."

To read the full bill text, click here.