The Joshua Omvig Veterans Suicide Prevention Act
We here at Suzy’s Law thank the Members of the House of Representatives, who voted unanimously Tuesday to create a comprehensive suicide-prevention framework within the Department of Veterans Affairs. Suicide among America’s veterans is a serious concern, and training VA staff to recognize the signs and giving vets access to annual depression screenings are only reasonable and proper.
But the time comes now for the Members to turn their attention to another group who are disproportionately affected by suicide. Suicide is the third leading cause of death for Americans between the ages of 15 and 24. Suicide claims the lives of more young people than cancer, the flu, pneumonia, diabetes and diseases of the heart and lungs combined.
America has a responsibility to our veterans, who have sacrificed much for us. But we also have a responsibility to young people. We have a responsibility to protect them from those who, out of malice or depraved indifference to human life, would prey upon them.
Congress has a responsibility to pass the Suzanne Gonzales Suicide Prevention Act.
Call your Representatives today and urge them to co-sponsor H.R. 940.