The Sconi

Derrick Van Orden, the representative for Wisconsin's 3rd District, has emphasized the need for enhanced measures to prevent veteran suicide. He expressed his support for a new bill designed to bolster prevention programs and improve care, making this statement on X.

"One veteran lost to suicide is one too many – we must do better by our nation's heroes," said Van Orden, U.S. Representative from Wisconsin. "The What Works for Preventing Veteran Suicide Act makes great strides in improving prevention programs. Providing the best care possible for our vets."

In 2025, Congress advanced the Veteran Overmedication and Suicide Prevention Act, which mandates an independent review of suicides among veterans who have utilized services from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Additionally, the bipartisan Saving Our Veterans’ Lives Act proposed distributing firearm lockboxes as a means to reduce impulsive suicides. According to Senator Angus King’s office, these legislative efforts are part of a broader national initiative aimed at addressing veteran suicide through targeted interventions and access control measures. The VA underscores that limiting access to lethal means such as firearms is an effective strategy in suicide prevention.

The Department of Veterans Affairs' 2024 Annual Report indicates that the veteran suicide rate in 2022 was 31.7 per 100,000 individuals, nearly double the rate of 16.1 per 100,000 among non-veterans. The report highlights that younger veterans, particularly those aged between 18 and 34 who are not engaged with VA care, are most at risk. These statistics point to a persistent mental health crisis within the veteran community and underscore the urgency for intervention efforts.

A study published in JAMA Network Open assessed the effectiveness of the VA’s REACH VET program, which employs predictive analytics to identify high-risk veterans for proactive mental health outreach. The journal reports that this program resulted in a 5% reduction in suicide attempts and an 8% decrease in psychiatric hospitalizations compared to a control group. These findings suggest that data-driven approaches can significantly contribute to reducing suicide risk among veterans.

Van Orden has served as the U.S. Representative for Wisconsin’s 3rd District since 2023 after a distinguished career spanning 26 years in the U.S. Navy, where he retired as a Navy SEAL Senior Chief. His official House biography notes his service on several committees including Veterans' Affairs, Armed Services, and Agriculture. His military background informs his policy priorities with a focus on defense and veteran healthcare.