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[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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