Latest news with #VeteransMentalHealthCareImprovementAct
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.
UPI
21-05-2025
- Health
- UPI
VA to use $50M for veteran suicide prevention projects
1 of 2 | "Reducing Veteran suicide starts with reaching Veterans when and how it's most convenient for them," U.S. Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins (pictured Monday in the Rose Garden at the White House in Washington, D.C.) said Wednesday as the VA opened grant requests for community-based groups for Veteran suicide prevention. Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI | License Photo 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.
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Veteran suicide prevention grant gets bipartisan support in hearings
With suicide claiming the lives of about 18 veterans each day, back-to-back congressional hearings this week focused on bipartisan efforts to reauthorize the Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program and push back against what lawmakers called the "Trump agenda." "Imagine, after wearing a uniform and serving our nation, these veterans were dying in silence with the pain of PTSD, depression, substance abuse and the risk of self harm," Rep. Delia Ramirez, D-Ill, said at the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations hearing Wednesday. Lawmakers cited inadequate staff training, long wait times, and weak continuity of care as key reasons veterans suffer needlessly from mental health problems. Ramirez criticized the Trump administration for sending doctors to VA centers who had been performing telework for years. The VA centers had no space for them and, as a result, some had conducted sensitive telehealth appointments in unsuitable locations such as closets and shower stalls. "We can't talk about adequate intervention without talking about adequate investment," Ramirez said. Chairwoman Jen Kiggans, R-Va., a Navy veteran and nurse practitioner, stressed that money alone cannot solve the crisis. She said the VA needs more psychologists and psychiatrists, so veterans get the care they need and doctors and nurses have adequate guidance when issuing prescriptions. "I've heard horror stories from constituents who have been prescribed pain medication and told to take more when they feel bad and less when they feel better," Kiggans said. "As a provider, I would not remember prescribing two medications that might interact without first consulting a psychiatrist. This is unacceptable." According to Kiggans, despite a 479% increase in the VA's budget since 2001, veteran suicide rates have remained largely stagnant. "The VA is doing less with more," she added, urging Congress to scrutinize VA bureaucracy and enforce stronger oversight. She urged her colleagues not to politicize veterans' suicides. "Suicide prevention and veteran mental health are bipartisan issues. Losing these veterans impacts red states and blue states," Kiggans said. At Tuesday's Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee hearing focused on "Enhancing Outreach to Support Veterans' Mental Health," senators from both parties expressed support for the Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program. This grant was authorized under the Commander John Scott Hannon Veterans Mental Health Care Improvement Act, which became law nearly five years ago but must be reauthorized. The lawmakers called for reauthorizing the Fox Grant because it would allow the VA to collaborate with trusted community organizations that can step in when the department lacks resources and staff. By expanding access to care beyond traditional VA facilities, especially in underserved areas, the program addresses gaps caused by systemic VA issues and helps ensure veterans receive the support they need before reaching a crisis point. To ensure positive outcomes, Russell Lemle, senior policy analyst for the Veterans Healthcare Policy Institute, explained that the reauthorization should continue requiring data-targeted solutions. He said without the data focus, the program's efficacy in tracking veterans' progress could be undermined. "The original Fox Grant legislation required community organizations to measure changes in risk factors like loss of income, relationships, and housing at both the beginning and end of services." Lemle said. "This data collection was the single best part of the program." Austin Lambright, a Marine Corps veteran, who served two combat deployments in Iraq, told the committee that veterans struggle when transitioning out of service. For instance, he battled with post traumatic stress disorder, substance abuse and thoughts of suicide. He emphasized the first 18 months of transition were amongst the most difficult. Through the Fox Grant, Lambright found a pathway forward. "The program connected me with Upstate Warrior Solution, and I was able to receive both inpatient and outpatient care for PTSD and alcohol abuse," he explained. "It gave me the tools to heal and reconnect with my purpose, especially for my son." Testimony from veterans at the Senate Committee hearing underscored how the program provided veterans with access to essential care and support, especially in the transition period. In Wednesday's hearing, Dr. Ilse Wiechers said suicides among veterans have increased. In 2022, the 6,407 ended their lives in suicides and suicide was the second highest cause of death for veterans under age 45-years-old, according to a December 2024 VA report. "I think ensuring transition from service member to veteran status is important, in particular, ensuring that we have continuity of mental health care, especially for those who may be receiving medication," she said. Members of Congress from both parties emphasized the importance of the Fox Grant. "It's been a game changer for so many veterans. It's geared toward meeting veterans where they are, providing access to services from trusted community partners and underserved communities," Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., said. "And my hope is we'll have bipartisan support for reauthorizing the Fox Grant Program." 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.
