WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) – chairman of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee – today released the following statement in response to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) 2020 National Veteran Suicide Annual Report highlighting data collected on veteran suicide and prevention efforts from 2018:

“One veteran lost to suicide is too many, and the VA’s recent report on veteran suicide shows a tragic reality – we are losing approximately 20 veterans and servicemembers a day to suicide. Our veteran community, especially those in rural areas, are struggling with mental health challenges, and this report affirms that past efforts have not reduced the crisis. Passing the Commander John Scott Hannon Veterans Mental Health Care Improvement Act and seeing it signed into law this year was a major step towards bringing critical help to veterans, especially those in hard-to-reach places like rural Kansas. But there is more work that needs to be done.

“I am committed to making certain the VA fully implements this law and holding the department accountable for the care and services provided to our veterans. We are facing a global pandemic that is further isolating our veterans and increasing their risk for suicide, and we must remain vigilant until every veteran has access to the mental health care, services and support they need and deserve. Our veterans fought and sacrificed for our country, and this committee will keep fighting for our veterans and providing them with the resources and hope they need for a better tomorrow.” 

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