Assembly hears testimony on reducing suicide among vets

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Assembly hears testimony on reducing suicide among vets
Legislative Gazette
Dan O'Regan
October 15, 2013

Family involvement is something Glenn Liebman, CEO of the Mental Health Association of New York said is key in the recovery of veterans returning home.

"Veterans and their families should receive core suicide prevention tools as a part of a mandatory suicide prevention training initiative for veterans and their families," Liebman said.

From left, Assembly members Michael DenDekker, Aileen Gunther, Michael Benedetto and Addie Russell hearing testimony from organizations that work with returning military veterans  Photo by Matthew Dondiego.

From left, Assembly members Michael DenDekker, Aileen Gunther, Michael Benedetto and Addie Russell hearing testimony from organizations that work with returning military veterans 

Photo by Matthew Dondiego.

According to a 2013 study by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, military suicides among returning soldiers are on the rise and several state lawmakers are looking at ways to reduce those cases in New York.

Every day about 22 veterans in the United States commit suicide, a rate approximately 20 percent higher than in 2007. The 2013 study shows that two-thirds of veterans committing suicide are 50 years old or older, indicating the increase in veteran suicides is not primarily driven from the recent wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. These statistics have prompted state lawmakers to address what the state can do to help combat the rising number of military suicides.

At a hearing held last Tuesday, Assembly Veterans' Affairs Committee Chair Michael Benedetto, Assembly Mental Health Committee Chair Aileen Gunther, Assembly Subcommittee on Women Veterans Chair Addie Russell; Veterans Affairs Committee member Michael DenDekker; and Mental Health Committee member John McDonald heard testimony from organizations working with veterans who are struggling with suicide.
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