[inaudible conversations] committee will come to order. good morning, everybody. thank you for being with the committee for today s oversight hearing entitled combating the crisis: evaluating efforts to prevent veteran suicide. as the hearing title suggests, we are here this morning to discuss the ongoing veteran suicide crisis that, according to the latest data available from the department of veterans affairs, finds 22 veterans a day dying at their own hands. i m disappointed that the v.a. was not able to release updated veteran suicide statistics at this time for this hearing. i understand that the center for disease control finally provided national data to v.a. in the middle of march. considering the critical interest in updated veteran suicide data, i can t emphasize enough the need for v.a. to pursue their analysis with a sense of urgency. it s my fervent hope that the new data will show a reduction in the rate of veteran suicides as a result of the investments we ha
[inaudible conversations] committee will come to order. good morning, everybody. thank you for being with the committee for today s oversight hearing entitled combating the crisis: evaluating efforts to prevent veteran suicide. as the hearing title suggests, we are here this morning to discuss the ongoing veteran suicide crisis that, according to the latest data available from the department of veterans affairs, finds 22 veterans a day dying at their own hands. i m disappointed that the v.a. was not able to release updated veteran suicide statistics at this time for this hearing. i understand that the center for disease control finally provided national data to v.a. in the middle of march. considering the critical interest in updated veteran suicide data, i can t emphasize enough the need for v.a. to pursue their analysis with a sense of urgency. it s my fervent hope that the new data will show a reduction in the rate of veteran suicides as a result of the investments we ha
to lawmakers about mental health care and suicide prevention programs for veterans and their families. the witnesses testify on why some are not receiving the necessary treatment and how a new law passed last year is trying to address the issue. this hearing is two and a half hours. [inaudible conversations] committee come to order. good morning, everybody. thank you for being with the committee for today s oversight hearing entitled combating the crisis: evaluating efforts to prevent veteran suicide. as the hearing title suggests, we are here this morning to discuss the ongoing veteran suicide crisis that, according to the latest data available from the department of veterans affairs, finds 22 veterans a day dying at their own hands. i m disappointed that the v.a. was not able to release updated veteran suicide statistics at this time for this hearing. i understand that the center for disease control finally provided national data to v.a. in the middle of march. considerin
this issue for about eight years. the conversations are moving to action. so today i d like to focus on four specific areas. as supporting those most at risk and the importance of research. in iava s annual member survey, over 80% of they continue to mismgs the role of the family and friends with over many 5%. ened as a result getting that help. for those in care, three of four of our members are yew the v.a. which is up so%, and comparable with those yew the with more help seekers, it s critical to ensure that the proper is resourced. it s a different task of hiring and retaining talent. the hire process is confusing and lengthy, at times deterring or rejecting qualified we need to know how best and to use updated where the need is. climate surveying, v.a. is using staff. we obvious who support v.a. says missions, some of who is are members. our members have shared stories relaying how they individual saved their lives. finally need to ensure that high quality care
lifetime job so that we wouldn t feel pressure to do a decision based on public opinion from fear that somehow we will be driven from our work. and so we re not thinking about public opinion in terms of reaching the answer that we believe the law compels. every year, if you read our most sensitive decisions, you will see us recognizing the impact those decisions might have on people. in every sensitive opinion the court is very aware when one of its decisions is going to be particularly difficult for some people in the society. it s recognized in our writing. but we do take pride on the fact that we are voting according to what we think the constitution or the laws require. that means that we can be aware of what the effect will be. we can even acknowledge it. but that s a different thing from letting it determine the outcome of a decision. [ applause ] now, would the students please not leave? i m coming down now. i would like to take a picture with the students who are here