To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to designate a week as "Buddy Check Week" for the purpose of outreach and education concerning peer wellness checks for veterans, and for other purposes.

Madam Speaker, yesterday, I introduced H.R. 2898, the ``Buddy Check Week Act of 2019,'' which provides support and training to organize outreach events and educate veterans on how to conduct peer wellness checks and recognize signs of problems in fellow veterans that indicate suicide risks.

The Buddy Check Week Act directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, in consultation with veterans, non-profits that serve veterans, mental health experts, and members of the Armed Forces, to develop and implement collaborative education opportunities for veterans to learn how to conduct wellness checks.

A wellness check involves contacting veterans who may be demonstrating signs of having difficulty and making sure they receive visits to see how they are doing and provide support for any needs.

The VA will provide online or in-person training to individuals, as well as provide opportunities for Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs) to learn how to: train individuals to conduct peer wellness checks, transfer phone calls to the Veterans Crisis Line, and be resilient when handling a veteran in crisis.

The bill inspired by the American Legion's ``Buddy Check National Week of Calling,'' held March 11-16, 2019.

The American Legion unveiled this new initiative to connect past and present veterans and ensure that they receive the care they need.

A Buddy Check Week will provide the time, space, and resources needed to help these veterans through personal interaction and kindness.

This legislation will amplify the work of the American Legion and support efforts to conduct outreach to veterans across the nation.

Madam Speaker, veteran suicide is a pervasive and critical issue, threatening the lives of many of our bravest and most patriotic Americans.

Although, the VA has screening protocols designed to aid veterans and stage suicide interventions, some 6,000 veterans a year tropically fall through the cracks of this system, finding themselves without the necessary aid and resources that were promised to them by the VA and commit suicide.

Many Suicide Prevention Coordinators and offices specializing in veterans affairs report being overworked and unable to keep up with their many responsibilities.

On average, about 20 veterans die every day by suicide, and since 2017, 25 veterans have taken their lives on the grounds of Veterans Affairs hospitals, including seven this year and at least four last month, actively seeking help from an unprepared agency before committing suicide.

It is long past time for the federal government to provide the necessary legislation to address the troubling uptick in veteran suicides and help improve suicide prevention and mental health resources at the at VA.

To truly address this issue, we need to make sure that the VA and veterans aid organizations have the tools needed to serve every veteran that walks through their doors.

It is critically important that we provide training on the signs that a veteran may be in crisis and the needed make it easier to get them the help that they need.

I believe this bill is a step in the right direction toward making sure that happens.

Madam Speaker, it is unconscionable that a veteran will commit suicide every hour.

The fact that veterans make up just 20 percent of the male population, yet veterans make up close to 32 percent of all male suicides is shocking and must spur our action.

It does not have to be this way, Madam Speaker, and we can do something about it, starting with the passage of H.R. 2898, the ``Buddy Check Week Act.''