WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., chairman of the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, today released the following statement to spread awareness of resources available to veterans in need in honor of World Suicide Prevention Day, Saturday, September 10:

“We must do everything we can to reduce the number of veteran suicides to zero. As chairman, one of my top priorities has been to ensure that veterans get the mental health care they need in a timely manner. The first bill out of our committee this Congress was the Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for American Veterans Act, and more recently, I’ve sponsored the Veterans First Act, which includes many provisions to address mental health care for veterans.

“We all have a role to play in preventing veteran suicide in our communities. If you know a veteran or service member who may be struggling, reach out to them. Spread the word about Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) services and the Veterans Crisis Line. It could save a life.”

The Veterans Crisis Line is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to help veterans who are considering taking their own lives. Veterans and their loved ones can call any time at 1-800-273-8255 and press 1.

In July, VA Secretary Robert McDonald and Isakson announced that a new Veterans Crisis Line call center would be opening in Atlanta, Ga. The new call center will serve as a backup center to the first Veterans Crisis Line location in Canandaigua, N.Y.

More resources on suicide prevention from the VA can be found here.

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The Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs is chaired by U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., in the 114th Congress. Isakson is a veteran himself – having served in the Georgia Air National Guard from 1966-1972 – and has been a member of the Senate VA Committee since he joined the Senate in 2005. Isakson’s home state of Georgia is home to more than a dozen military installations representing each branch of the military as well as more than 750,000 veterans.