Are the personnel who staff the hotline adequately trained in crisis communication listening skills and suicide intervention?
We simply ask that this subcommittee review the procedures, protocols, and training that are in place to insure a suicidal veteran can make a telephone call to seek help and know that properly trained professionals will answer their call. The Congress and the President have been ardent supporters of training our active duty service members to prepare them for any eventuality they might experience during combat. We believe the training of support personnel that help our service members after they have left active duty is equally important. Our organization remains available to answer any questions you or your staff may have and to provide you with any additional documentation you may request. Mr. Chairman, again I thank you and the other subcommittee members for allowing me to appear before you today.
