House adopts Bizzarro resolution designating Nov. 22 Veterans Suicide Prevention and Awareness Day

Rep. Ryan Bizzarro    October 20, 2020

HARRISBURG, Oct. 20 – The state House today adopted state Rep. Ryan Bizzarro’s House Resolution 1024 designating Nov. 22, 2020 as Veterans Suicide Prevention and Awareness Day.

Bizzarro, D-Erie, said he was approached by Erie County resident Wendy Ridge to work on this resolution recognizing Pennsylvania veterans lost to suicide and to bring awareness to the need for resources and the resources currently available to veterans and their families.

“I thank my colleagues for recognizing that our heroes are hurting and that we must support them by acknowledging the reality that we are losing an estimated 22 veterans a day to suicide. The 22 is significant because it helps us to remember those lost. We remind those left behind that we are there for them during these difficult times,” Bizzarro said. 

House Resolution 1024 urges family members and care providers to initiate free and confidential conversations with Veterans Health Administration Providers via the Veterans Crisis Line at 800-273-8255, online at VeteransCrisisLine.net/chat or via text to 838255.

“This pandemic had added many additional layers of stress and anxiety to those serving our armed forces and their families. It is more critical than ever to recognize veterans’ suicide as a public health crisis.  We have to work earnestly to make sure these men and women who have given our nation so much know there is no shame in seeking help and to make it easy for vets and their families to reach out,” Bizzarro explained.

Bizzarro encourages veterans and their families to contact his office at 814-835-2880 to connect with state resources for service men and women.