The Black Chronicle

VA to award $52.5 million in grants for suicide prevention

(The Center Square) – The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs announced Thursday that it would award $52.5 million in grants to groups that implement tailored suicide prevention programs and services for veterans and their families.

The Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program include 85 organizations across 41 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, American Samoa, and Puerto Rico to fund services in fiscal year 2025.

The grants are a part of VA’s National Strategy for preventing veteran suicide.

“It takes all of us, working together, to prevent Veteran suicide,” said VA Secretary Denis McDonough. “By working together with these organizations in the community, we’ll be able to save more lives and get one step closer to our goal of ensuring that no Veteran is ever alone in their time of need.”

In addition to grants, VA has taken steps to expand veteran suicide prevention efforts, including offering free emergency suicide prevention care, regardless of enrollment status.

- Advertisement -

In 2021, 6,392 veterans died by suicide, an increase of 114 suicides from 2020, according to the 2023 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report released in November 2023. The unadjusted rate of suicide in 2021 among U.S. veterans was 33.9 per 100,000, up from 32.6 per 100,000 in 2020. That’s compared to 16.7 per 100,000 for non-veteran U.S. adults for the same year, according to the report.

Veterans in crisis or concerned about one, can contact the Veterans Crisis Line to receive 24/7 confidential support. You don’t have to be enrolled in VA benefits or health care to connect. To reach responders, dial 988 then press 1, chat online at VeteransCrisisLine.net/Chat, or text 838255.

Hot this week

African and Caribbean Nations Call for Reparations for Slave Trade, Propose Global Fund

Nations across Africa and the Caribbean, deeply impacted by...

Sports betting expert offers advice on paying taxes for gambling winnings

(The Center Square) – Tax season is underway, and...

Health care company agrees to pay $22.5 million to settle claims of over billing

A health care company agreed to pay nearly $22.5...

Entertainment district benefits don’t outweigh the cost, economists say

(The Center Square) — Weeks later, after more details...

Business association ‘disappointed’ by WA L&I’s proposed workers comp rate hike

(The Center Square) – The Association of Washington Business...

Top 10 African-American Characters in Comics & Video Games

Black characters have played a huge role in shaping...

Evers will announce future plans after budget negotiations are complete

(The Center Square) – Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers will...

Seattle mayor launches plain language initiative ahead of 2026 FIFA World Cup

(The Center Square) – Seattle is updating its website...

Bill filed to prevent foreign adversaries from purchasing land in Texas

(The Center Square) – A state senator from Brenham...

U.S. Supreme Court refuses to hear Tennessee drag show law

(The Center Square) – The U.S. Supreme Court declined...

Carolina, other UNC System schools seek tuition increases

(The Center Square) – Out of state tuition could...

Adams rips City Council plan to eliminate NYPD gang database

(The Center Square) — New York City Mayor Eric...

Legislation introduced to hold DOGE ‘accountable’

(The Center Square) – A Virginia congressman has introduced...

More like this
Related

Top 10 African-American Characters in Comics & Video Games

Black characters have played a huge role in shaping...

Evers will announce future plans after budget negotiations are complete

(The Center Square) – Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers will...

Seattle mayor launches plain language initiative ahead of 2026 FIFA World Cup

(The Center Square) – Seattle is updating its website...

Bill filed to prevent foreign adversaries from purchasing land in Texas

(The Center Square) – A state senator from Brenham...