Legislation from Congressman Bill Huizenga aims to help prevent suicides among veterans.

Huizenga tells us the Veterans Suicide Prevention and Care Enhancement Act is a bipartisan effort that would encourage more providers in Community Care Networks to train their staff in evidence-based suicide prevention programs. It also directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish a Preferred Provider List including community care networks that complete the annual training.

“It’s designed to increase the number of community care networks throughout the country who adopt the VA’s suicide prevention training,” Huizenga said. “That training protocol, that program, has proven statistically to lower veteran suicide rates. It’s just a better, different way of training those advocates that are receiving those calls.”

Huizenga says the bill would not mandate the training, but encourage it. The list of Preferred Providers would be made available to the public. He says when a veteran comes home and is struggling as a result of their battlefield experience, they should be able to get the best quality of care.

The legislation, which has just been introduced, has the backing of Disabled American Veterans, the Association of VA Psychologist Leaders, and the Paralyzed Veterans of America.