Tester Teams With Moran On Veterans Crisis Line
Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chairman Jon Tester and Ranking Member Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) are teaming up to introduce a bipartisan bill aimed at improving the Veterans Crisis Line’s staff training, management and response to highrisk veteran callers at risk of suicide.
The Senators’ Revising and Expediting Actions for the Crisis Hotline for Veterans Act would implement key recommendations made by the Office of Inspector General in April 2021 and November 2020 following responder missteps at the VCL that resulted in a veteran homicide and a veteran suicide.
“We’ve got to do more to make sure no veteran who reaches out for life-saving assistance through the Veterans Crisis Line falls through the cracks,” said Chairman Tester. “Our bipartisan bill requires VA to address dangerous gaps in the system, fully train responders on how to properly assess risks and take action with high-risk callers, and help VA successfully transition to the 3-digit, national suicide prevention hotline. This emergency service is often a last resort for many veterans in crisis, especially in rural states like Montana, and ensuring its effectiveness must remain our top priority.”
“While Congress has made substantial improvements to the Veterans Crisis Line in recent years, deficiencies remain that must be addressed to ensure every veteran receives the care they deserve when in crisis,” said Ranking Member Moran. “This legislation directs the VA to implement key recommendations made by the Office of Inspector General including improved Veterans Crisis Line staff training, an extended safety planning pilot program, and a smooth transition to 9-8-8 as the national 3-digit suicide crisis hotline for veterans.”
Specifically, the bill would require an outside evaluation of VCL’s current training curriculum, direct the Department of Veterans Affairs to issue re-training guidance for call responders, increase the quality review and management over VCL calls and processes, improve responder guidance for high-risk callers, and establish pilot programs to improve VCL services. It would also facilitate the transition to 9-8-8 as the national suicide prevention hotline, with more guidance from Veterans Service Organizations and stakeholders.
“The Veterans Crisis Line remains an indispensable tool, having helped hundreds of thousands of veterans access mental health services and mitigate suicide risk,” said Disabled American Veterans National Commander Stephen “Butch” Whitehead. “DAV supports the REACH for Veterans Act which would improve the VCL by bolstering its effectiveness through systematic review, training and ongoing monitoring. Veterans deserve a safe, accessible means of seeking immediate help in times of crisis, and we thank Senators Tester and Moran for the legislation and their steadfast commitment to fighting veteran suicide.”
“Addressing veteran mental health through preventative action is vital to decreasing the veteran suicide rate,” said Chanin Nuntavong, Executive Director of The American Legion. “The Veteran Crisis Line serves as a tool for suicidal veterans to get the mental health assistance they need. Unfortunately, bureaucratic inadequacies have made the VCL ineffective at times. This is why The American Legion supports the REACH for Veterans Act. This legislation strengthens the transition to 9-8-8 as the national suicide prevention hotline by requiring VA to issue re-training guidance for VCL responders and mandating VA get feedback from VSOs on VA outreach during the move to 9-8-8.”
The Veterans Crisis Line offers free, confidential support, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. If you are a veteran in crisis, or concerned about a veteran in crises, call 800-273-8255 and Press 1, chat online at VeteransCrisisLine. net/Chat, or text 838255.
