Thread by @TrueBoots

In case you're one of the three or four people in America not tuning in to the #KavanaughHearings maybe tune in now to hear our leaders discuss the truly disturbing trends in veteran suicide reported yesterday by @DeptVetAffairs:

https://twitter.com/HouseVetAffairs/status/1045313257395884032

Opening remarks by @RepTimWalz highlight failure of a Minnesota VA to provide a discharge plan for a high-risk veteran who ended his life. #veteransuicide

Dr. Brown from UPenn speaks of successful safety planning for high-risk veterans within VHA. Stats released yesterday show 14 of the 20 veterans committing suicide each day are not receiving care in VHA. #veteransuicide

Mr. Richardson from #WWP: peer to peer support is critical. Highlights the successes of resilience training workshops and partnerships w/ veterans orgs. #veteransuicide

Ltc Lorraine from #AmericasWarriorPartnership discusses local-level, community based solutions and better identification of high-risk individuals. #veteransuicide

Interesting #GuardYourBuddy app developed for Tennessee National Guard. #veteransuicide

This is a pretty cheery hearing so far given the crisis levels revealed in yesterday's report from the VA on #veteransuicide.

.@RepScottPeters points out higher risk of homeless veterans for suicide, and that preventing homelessness also prevents suicide. States support for robust HUD-VASH programs & funding. #veteransuicide

.@RepEsty speaks to importance of addressing gun possession as a risk factor for #veteransuicide. Stats in yesterday's report show more than 70% of veteran suicides are by firearm.

Mr. Mulcahy of #GuardYourBuddy app talks about how a large number of users/callers are buddies or family members asking for how they can get help for a veteran showing signs or making statements of suicidal intentions. #veteransuicide

Curious why focus pf hearing so far seems almost entirely on post-9/11 veterans. We are the highest rate of risk according to new stats, but older veterans are still largest number of suicides. Older vets matter too. #veteransuicide

Important question from @RepConorLamb about tracking patient data and risk factors in electronic records--data is key to mitigating risk. #veteransuicide

Combat vet @RepBrianMast brings the words of veterans struggling with suicidal thoughts into the room. Truly powerful. He says they struggle with this question: "what is their value?" & asks, how do we make sure that veterans know their value? #veteransuicide

.@RepLouCorrea: "we've been talking about all of this forever" and gets at the frustration so many of us feel about steady state of crisis on #veteransuicide and posits his own theory of underlying causes.

.@RepMikeCoffman doesn't seem to understand that a PA is a licensed provider when citing example of problems within VHA: "not even a physician.. a physicians assistant." But on point with need for accountability and moving away from drug-centric treatment models. #veteransuicide

.@RepAnnieKuster makes VITAL points about unjust denial of sexual assault/trauma claims: "cannot imagine more dispiriting" situation--questions whether there is direct correlation of MST claim denials by VA and #veteransuicide. Cites DoD destruction of records & need for hearing.

Dr. Franklin, who heads suicide prevention for VA, states they are only in "early stages" of integrating data from DoD with VA on suicide risk factors. Once more: DOD AND VA ARE NOT SHARING DATA ON HIGH RISK VETERANS MORE THAN A DECADE INTO #VETERANSUICIDE CRISIS.

.@RepJackBergman points out "we have failed to move the needle" on #veteransuicide... asks Dr. Franklin of VA--what are we missing?

We're hearing "passion" of VA staff for solving #veteransuicide.. but unclear what new or improved processes or approaches will truly make a difference. Lack of emphasis on improving data tracking & integration is alarming.

.@RepTimWalz speaks to important perspective missing in this hearing: that of the families of those lost to #veteransuicide. I'd be interested to hear from VA on whether there is formalized collection of input from families on underlying risk factors to identify trends.

Overall this hearing has only heightened my alarm about the ongoing crisis of #veteransuicide. I heard more disarray and confusion about causes, identification of risk, and long-term solutions than I did concrete, evidence-based steps being taken to bring these numbers down.