Press Releases

Today, Rep. Mike Bost (R-Ill.), the Ranking Member of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, released the following statement after the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) released its National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report, revealing a decrease in veteran suicide from 2018 to 2019.

“I am thrilled to learn that the veteran suicide rate decreased in 2019. This is excellent, encouraging news but we can in no way, shape, or form consider ourselves out of the woods,” said Ranking Member Bost. “2020 and 2021 brought unprecedented burdens to bear on veterans and their families. The crisis in Afghanistan continues to cause significant stress among the entire veteran community. That is where the entirety of our focus and attention must be.”

Ranking Member Bost has led two recent letters to Chairman Takano urging immediate Committee activity, beginning with an oversight hearing, to address the impact the ongoing crisis in Afghanistan is having on veterans and their families. Both letters can be read here and here.

If you or a veteran you know is having thoughts of suicide, contact the Veterans Crisis Line to receive free, confidential support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Call 1-800-273-8255 and Press 1, text 838255, or visit http://VeteransCrisisLine.net/Chat.