Veteran Affairs increases care to prevent veteran suicides (includes video story)

The Department of Veterans Affairs announced on Jan. 13 that it would extend care to help prevent veteran suicides.

As of Jan. 17, veterans in crisis can go to any healthcare facility for emergency care at no charge. Veteran suicide rates were highest in 2018 at almost 128 suicides per day, but they have been decreasing since then.

“This expansion of care will save veterans’ lives, and there is nothing more important than that,” said VA secretary David McDonough in a statement.

The program includes services to finance treatment, and it isn’t required for veterans to be enrolled in the VA system to reap the benefits.

Natalie La Roche Pietri

Managing Editor

Natalie is a senior double majoring in journalism and English. She interned at the Miami Herald and was an NBCU Academy fellow in Washington, D.C., where she reported on national issues that affect South Florida. Natalie has an interest in political reporting and gender issues.