(U.S. Senate) – U.S. Senator Jon Tester is bringing a Montanan to Capitol Hill next week to testify before his Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee.

Helena’s Matt Kuntz, Executive Director of the Montana branch of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, will address the Committee about suicide prevention.

Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee Hearing

“#BeThere: What More Can Be Done to Prevent Veteran Suicide?”

Wednesday, September 27, 2017

The hearing will examine ways that the VA, Congress and local communities can work together to save lives and improve veterans’ access to mental health care. The hearing will also examine how to better deliver care to veterans in rural areas and tribal lands.

“This is a public health crisis that deserves all hands on deck, and Matt’s expertise will go a long way in helping our nation address it,” said Tester, Ranking Member of the Veterans’ Affairs Committee. “This hearing will allow community providers, the VA and Congress to work together to find innovative ways to deliver mental health care to Montana veterans, regardless of where they live.”

Kenneth Smoker Jr., a Health Programs Specialist with the Fort Peck Tribes, will provide written testimony to the Committee.

The hearing will be streamed online HERE.

A veteran in crisis–or anyone concerned about a veteran in crisis–can call the Veterans Crisis Line at 1-800-273-8255 and press 1, send a text to 838255, or visit VeteransCrisisLine.net at any time.