Warner, Kaine announce funding for veterans' suicide prevention

U.S. Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine of Virginia this week announced that $4.5 million in federal funding has been granted to eight organizations dedicated to suicide prevention for veterans in the state.

Six of the eight groups will focus efforts on specific localities in the state (not including Henrico), while the other two – Blue Star Families Inc. ($750,000) and Community Building Art Works ($100,000) – will provide services statewide.

The funding was made possible through the Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program, which was created through the Warner-sponsored IMPROVE Wellbeing for Veterans Act, which passed unanimously in the Senate in August 2020.

“Too many veterans are silently suffering with their mental health when their tours of duty conclude. That’s why it is our duty to make sure that servicemembers, who sacrificed so much for our freedom and security, have the support and resources they deserve when they are struggling,” said Warner. “I was proud to help write the legislation that made this funding possible, and I am thrilled that Virginia’s veterans will receive more support as we continue to tackle the alarming rate of veteran suicide.”

“Our veterans have made great sacrifices for our nation, and we owe it to them to provide them with the best support possible, including mental health resources,” said Kaine. “I’m proud this funding, made possible by legislation I helped pass, will expand community-based suicide prevention efforts for veterans across Virginia.”