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                                             from Larry Scott at VA Watchdog dot Org -- 09-17-2008		  



 


 
 

 


 



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REPUBLICAN PRESS RELEASE

September 17, 2008

 

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Subcommittee Continues to Monitor VA Suicide Prevention Efforts

For more information, contact: Brian Lawrence, (202) 225-3527



Washington D.C. - Yesterday, the Subcommittee on Health assessed the establishment of a National Suicide Prevention Hotline for veterans as a component of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) suicide prevention programs.

“It is so vitally important for VA to understand and respond to the needs of at risk veterans, especially those of our newest generation of combat veterans. We must send a message to all of the brave men and women who wear the uniform that resources are readily available; we care, and seeking help can make a difference in their lives,” said Subcommittee Ranking Republican Member Miller (R-Fla.).

 In July 2007, VA established a Veterans Suicide Prevention Hotline in partnership with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA). Veterans in crisis or others concerned about a veteran can call 1-800-273-TALK and be connected to the VA Hotline Call Center in Canandaigua, NY. The call center is staffed with trained VA crisis health care professionals to respond to calls on a 24/7 basis and facilitate appropriate treatment.

“I am encouraged by what I hear about the hotline, however, if you can’t measure something, you can’t manage it,” said Representative Vern Buchanan (R-Fla.), using a familiar business adage to express the importance of evaluating the effectiveness of the suicide hotline and other VA prevention efforts.

Dr. Janet E. Kemp, the VA National Suicide Prevention Coordinator, testifying on behalf of VA stated that VA is evaluating its program on many levels and will continue to develop evaluative measures as it evolves.

“The most important evaluation will be a test of whether there are decreases in the rates of suicide among veterans.” Kemp said.

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posted by Larry Scott
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