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The National Suicide Hotline Designation Act (S. 2661), helps ensure that individuals and families, including veterans, experiencing mental health distress are able to easily access help and resources and designates 9-8-8 as the national suicide prevention and mental health crisis hotline.

The Commander John Scott Hannon Veterans Mental Health Care Improvement Act of 2019 was introduced in the U.S. Senate, proposing much-needed updates related to veteran transition assistance, mental health care, care for women veterans, and telehealth care, as well as a vital provision to find and treat at-risk veterans who do not use the VA.

The Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for American Veterans (SAV) Act was signed into law.

The Clay Hunt SAV Act continues to gain momentum in the U.S. Senate after unanimously passing the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee (SVAC) last week. The bipartisan bill, introduced by Senator John McCain (R-Ariz.) added four new co-sponsors this week, bringing the total to 39 – 24 Democrats, 13 Republicans and 2 Independents.

Sens. John McCain (R-Ariz.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) reintroduced the Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for American Veterans (SAV) Act in the U.S. Senate. IAVA spearheaded the creation of the bill and praised the Senators for standing with the veteran community.

One lone Senator stopped passage of the Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for America’s Veterans (SAV) Act. Even though IAVA and veterans groups from around the country joined in demanding Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) release his block on the Clay Hunt SAV Act, the bill died at the end of the 113th Congress when the hold was not released.

The Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for American Veterans (SAV) Act (H.R. 5059) passed unanimously in the House today by a voice vote.

IAVA veteran members delivered a petition to Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) calling on him to bring the Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention Bill to the Senate floor before Congress adjourns next week. The hand-delivered petition includes signatures of more than 59,000 IAVA veterans and family members urging Congress to help reverse the trend of 22 veterans dying by suicide every day.

"IAVA held a day of action on Capitol Hill, rallying in support of bipartisan suicide prevention legislation and calling for Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) to immediately bring the Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention Bill to the Senate floor. IAVA veteran members will deliver a petition of more than 57,000 signatures urging Congress to help reverse the trend of 22 veterans dying by suicide every day. "

Before the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee (SVAC), Susan Selke, mother of Clay Hunt, a Marine veteran who died by suicide in 2011, urged Congress to take swift action in passing the Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention Bill of 2014.

Senators John McCain (R-Ariz.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Richard Burr (R-N.C.), Roy Blunt (R-Mo.), Lisa Murkowski (R-Ala.) and Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) introduced in the Senate the Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention Bill of 2014. IAVA spearheaded the creation of the bill and praised the Senators for their commitment to veterans.

According to a new survey completed by IAVA members, 47 percent of respondents know at least one Iraq or Afghanistan veteran who has attempted suicide, while 40 percent of respondents know someone who has died by suicide, up three points from 2013.

At a hearing of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee (HVAC), Susan and Richard Selke, parents of Clay Hunt, a Marine veteran who died by suicide in 2011, urged Congress to take swift action in passing the Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention Bill of 2014. The official hearing topic was "Service Should Not Lead To Suicide: Access to VA's Mental Health Care" and was the first committee mention of the SAV Act. In the announcement of this bill, Susan Selke stood with members of IAVA, Congressional leaders from both parties, and House Veterans' Affairs Committee Chairman Jeff Miller (R-FL) as he introduced the suicide prevention bill that is named after her late son. Alongside other families, Susan shared her gut-wrenching story of losing her son to suicide three years ago.

"IAVA heralded a significant step toward combating veteran suicide in America with the introduction of new, historic and comprehensive legislation introduced by U.S. Senator John Walsh of Montana. To bring attention to this fight, supporters placed 1,892 American flags on the National Mall representing the number of veterans and servicemembers estimated to have died by suicide to date in 2014."

Young veterans from across America participate in IAVA's annual "Storm the Hill" event. Those storming Capitol Hill with IAVA demanded Congress and the President take new action on their top issue: combating veteran suicide. At an event with leading mental health advocates, IAVA announced the “We’ve Got Your Back: Campaign to Combat Suicide” and unveiled IAVA’s 2014 Policy Agenda.

Swipe or click the right arrow to see how activism becomes action

The Senate unanimously passed the Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act (H.R. 7105). This large veteran legislation package includes numerous bipartisan bills to help veterans, including the Deborah Sampson Act, which will help to close the healthcare gaps that women veterans are currently facing at VA.

House vote to pass the Deborah Sampson Act, November 12, 2019.

IAVA CEO Jeremy Butler and Stormers meet with Deborah Sampson Act sponsor Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT) to discuss the path forward to passing the legislation.

Stormers Ronelle Hulbert and Sarah Letts in the Capitol after meeting with Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s office in support of the Deborah Sampson Act.

CEO Jeremy Butler and Stormers following his testimony before a joint hearing of the House and Senate Veterans' Affairs Committees on IAVA’s top priorities, including the Deborah Sampson Act.

IAVA Government Affairs Associate Kaitlynne Hetrick advocates for the Deborah Sampson Act Before the Congressional Women Veterans Task Force.

House Deborah Sampson Act sponsor Rep. Julia Brownley (D-CA) makes closing argument before final House passage of the bill.

IAVA EVP Tom Porter thanks Deborah Sampson Act sponsor Rep. Julie Brownley after she passed the bill from the House Veterans' Affairs Committee.

IAVA Stormers hold a Capitol Hill press conference in support of the Deborah Sampson Act and other priorities.

IAVA Members in for the June 2018 Storm The Hill train to advocate on Capitol Hill for IAVA priorities, including the Deborah Sampson Act.

Tom Porter and Allison Jaslow with Secretary David Shulkin after advocating for the Deborah Sampson Act.

Dallas Fort Worth IAVA members discuss the Deborah Sampson Act during Equest, which promotes equine therapy for veterans.

IAVA and its VSO partners band together to push Congress to act on issues affecting women veterans by passing the Deborah Sampson Act.

IAVA Stormers with Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT) at the Capitol after announcing the introduction of the Deborah Sampson Act.

IAVA’s founder, Paul Rieckhoff, in the Capitol basement with Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT) and his team after we agreed to partner on introducing the Deborah Sampson Act.