Lisa Baker, a Senator from Pennsylvania, announced that federal grants are available to community organizations providing suicide prevention and emergency services for veterans. Applications for these grants are due by July 18. The announcement was made on the social media platform X.
“Community organizations that provide suicide prevention or emergency clinical services to veterans have until July 18 to apply for federal grants to support their vital mission,” said Baker. “Veterans in immediate crisis should dial 988.”
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) administers programs such as the Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant. This initiative offers up to $750,000 per organization for crisis intervention, outreach, and peer support. Eligibility is limited to nonprofits, tribes, and organizations capable of delivering mental health services, according to the VA.
RAND Corporation and VA data indicate that the veteran suicide rate in 2022 was 34.7 per 100,000 individuals. This rate is nearly double that of civilians, with 6,407 veteran suicides reported. The risk is particularly high among recent users of crisis services like the Veterans Crisis Line.
Senator Boozman’s office reports that federal funding for veteran suicide prevention increased from $174 million in 2020 to a projected $285 million in 2025. This includes expanded program caps and ongoing congressional support for the SSG Fox grant initiative.
According to the Pennsylvania Senate’s official site, Senator Lisa Baker has served since 2007. She is recognized for sponsoring legislation aimed at improving veterans’ homes, strengthening the Veterans Trust Fund, and enhancing mental health support for veterans across the state.
