HYDE-SMITH BACKS ‘NATIONAL WARRIOR CALL DAY’ IN SUPPORT OF U.S. VETERANS & SERVICEMEMBERS

Resolution Encourages Greater Interaction to Curtail Rising Suicide Rates

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) today announced her support for a Senate resolution to designate Nov. 13, 2022, as “National Warrior Call Day.”

Hyde-Smith is an original cosponsor of the National Warrior Call Day Resolution (S.Res.754), which encourages Americans to actively reach out to servicemembers, veterans, and first responders to strengthen social connections that can promote mental health and wellbeing.  National Warrior Call Day would be the Sunday after Veterans Day.

“Veterans, current servicemembers, and first responders deserve consistent support from all of us,” Hyde-Smith said.  “National Warrior Call Day represents a strong reminder for all Americans, including members of the Armed Forces and veterans, to stay in contact with someone who has worn or is currently wearing the uniform and let them know they care.  These acts could make a difference and save a life.”

Introduced by U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) and Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), the resolution refers to the troubling and growing rate of suicides among veterans and members of the Armed Forces.  It points out that “more veterans have died by suicide in the last 10 years than members of the Armed Forces who died in combat in Vietnam.”

The resolution encourages contact with veterans, servicemembers, and first responders to reduce the effects of disconnection that may lead warriors to not seek support systems and instead turn to self-harm.  It also notes the need for greater research on “the connection between traumatic brain injury as a root cause of invisible wounds and suicide by members of the Armed Forces and veterans.”

S.Res.754 has been referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee.

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