Latest news with #ParkerGordonFox
Newsweek
22-05-2025
- Health
- Newsweek
VA Announces $52 Million Boost to US Veterans
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has announced more than $50 million in grants to help suicide prevention. Why It Matters In a 2024 report, the VA revealed there were 6,407 suicides among Veterans in 2022, the latest year for which data is available. According to Stop Soldier Suicide, 140,000 service men and women have died this way since 2001, and the suicide rate among veterans ages 18 to 34 has more than doubled. Veterans are also at 58 percent higher risk of suicide than those who haven't served. According to the VA, most suicide attempts among current or future veterans occur after they leave military service. The risk is highest during the first three months following separation, though it remains elevated for several years after the transition. What To Know In a press release issued on Wednesday, the VA announced that some $52.5 million in funding is now available to support community-based organizations focused on suicide prevention and emergency clinical services for veterans at risk of taking their own life. Eligible organizations can apply for individual grants of up to $750,000, with the opportunity to renew awards annually throughout the life of the program. The deadline for applications is 4:59 p.m. ET on July 18. These grants are part of the VA's Staff Sgt. Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program, established under the Commander John Scott Hannon Veterans Mental Health Care Improvement Act of 2019. According to the VA, since its launch in 2022, the Fox grant program has awarded more than $157 million to nearly 100 organizations across 43 states, U.S. territories and tribal lands. Stock image/file photo: The American flag attached to the American military uniform. Stock image/file photo: The American flag attached to the American military uniform. GETTY The announcement follows other health care changes revealed by the VA this week. Veterans no longer need a second VA physician to review and approve their eligibility to receive non-VA health care in an effort to reduce wait times and administrative bottlenecks. The VA also announced earlier this month it is simplifying how survivors and dependents of deceased veterans access VA benefits. The reforms include relocating the Office of Survivors Assistance (OSA), launching a personalized "White-Glove" Survivor Outreach Team, and expanding automation in the benefits system. What People Are Saying VA Secretary Doug Collins said in a press release: "Reducing Veteran suicide starts with reaching Veterans when and how it's most convenient for them. One of the best ways to accomplish this mission is by working with community-based organizations. We look forward to ensuring these funds are put to use helping Veterans in need across the nation." What Happens Next The VA will choose the grant recipients by September 30. If you or someone you know needs mental health assistance right now, call the National Suicide Prevention Helpline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). This is a free, confidential crisis hotline that is available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you are in another country, you can go to to find a helpline near you.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
VA to use $50M for veteran suicide prevention projects
May 21 (UPI) -- More than $50 million in federal grant money will be available to local groups to provide suicide prevention and other services for America's at-risk veteran population, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs announced Wednesday. "Reducing veteran suicide starts with reaching veterans when and how it's most convenient for them," said U.S. Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins. Around $52.5 million in federal money via the VA's Staff Sgt. Parker Gordon Fox suicide prevention grant program will be directed to local organizations at a community-based level that provide an array of clinical or other emergency services for U.S. veterans, particularly suicide prevention. In December, the Biden administration's Veterans Affairs Department noted that military veteran suicides were slightly down but remained steady. It said in 2022 nearly 18 U.S. veterans died every day that year from suicide. On Wednesday, Collins said one of the "best ways" to see a reduction in veteran suicide rates is to reach them where they are by working hand-in-hand with community-based groups and support other evidence-based organizations in all 50 states. "We look forward to ensuring these funds are put to use helping veterans in need across the nation," the VA secretary stated. The VA's Staff Sgt. Fox suicide prevention program -- named for the U.S. Army Infantry School sniper instructor at Fort Benning, Ga., who died by suicide in 2020 at age 25 -- was the topic of a congressional reauthorization hearing at the end of April after its second reauthorized round of grant funding in March 2023. It was authorized under the 2019 Cmdr. John Scott Hannon Veterans Mental Health Care Improvement Act, which became law nearly five years ago but must be reauthorized by Congress. Veterans Affairs officials noted since the Fox grant program's 2022 launch that it had diverted more than $157 million throughout 43 states, U.S. territories and tribal nations to some 95 organizations to financially support veteran services. The VA said Wednesday that U.S. organizations may now apply for grant funding up to $750,000 and may further opt to renew year-to-year throughout the grant's existing timeline. Meanwhile, grant applications are due July 18 by 4:59 p.m. EDT. Grantees will be picked by September 30, according to VA officials. If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, help is available 24/7. Call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline for free, confidential support.
