Walberg Votes to Strengthen Veterans’ Mental Health Care Resources

Washington, D.C.—Congressman Tim Walberg (MI-07) voted today for the No Veterans Crisis Line Call Should Go Unanswered Act, bipartisan legislation to bring critical improvements and quality control measures to the Veterans Crisis Line, the 24-hour support hotline for veterans seeking suicide prevention and crisis assistance. According to the hotline's former director, more than one-third of calls are rolled over to a back-up call center and not being answered by the best trained staffers. Earlier this year, a VA Inspector General report also found instances where calls were transferred to a voicemail system and never returned.

"America's men and women in uniform face many challenges when they return home, and when a veteran reaches out in a time of need, it is simply unacceptable to not answer their call for help. We must keep the faith with our veterans and provide timely, high quality care for wounds both seen and unseen. These bipartisan reforms will help make the Veterans Crisis Line more responsive and effective to ensure those seeking mental health care can get the immediate assistance they need," said Walberg.

Congressman Walberg serves on the House Education and the Workforce Committee as Chair of the Workforce Protections Subcommittee. In addition, he serves on the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee. For more information on Walberg's work in Congress visit walberg.house.gov.