Senators Hassan and Ernst Encourage Veterans to Participate in VA’s First National Buddy Check Week

WASHINGTON – Senators Maggie Hassan (D-NH) and Joni Ernst (R-IA) are encouraging veterans to participate in the Department of Veterans Affairs’ first annual National Buddy Check Week, which starts today and goes through October 20th. The VA is organizing outreach events to educate veterans on how to conduct peer wellness checks. Senators Hassan and Ernst worked to pass the bill into law last year to institute the yearly VA program to support veterans’ mental health, which is modeled after the American Legion’s “Buddy Check National Week of Calling” to connect veterans to other veterans in order to better ensure that they receive the support they need.

“Too many veterans struggle with their mental health without the support that they need,” said Senator Hassan. “I want these veterans to know that they are not alone, since their peers are often going through similar challenges. I’m grateful to the American Legion for advocating for this veteran peer support program, and for Senator Joni Ernst’s partnership in getting the VA to establish this program through our bipartisan law. I encourage veterans to sign up to participate in Buddy Check Week as we continue to work together to support the people who have served our country in uniform.”

“As a combat veteran, I know the transition from service to civilian life can be filled with mental health challenges,” said Senator Ernst. “I was proud to work alongside Senator Hassan to pass this bipartisan legislation which will provide veterans with the tools to support those closest to them. This week, I urge our veterans to connect or reconnect with their veteran friends – just to check in. It’s a simple measure that goes a long way to support the health and safety of those who have bravely served our nation.”

All of the resources that participants need can be found on VA’s National Buddy Check Week website, including the Buddy Check Week Pledge, a tool to help find buddies, and peer wellness training.

Thanks to Senators Hassan and Ernst’s law, the VA is working directly with nonprofits that serve veterans, mental health experts, and members of the Armed Forces to provide educational opportunities for veterans to learn how to conduct peer wellness checks. Additionally, the Senators’ bill ensures that the Veterans Crisis Line has a plan in place for the potential increase in calls that may occur during Buddy Check Week.

Last month, Senator Hassan discussed Buddy Check Week with a VA official during a Senate committee hearing. In addition, Senator Hassan hosted a discussion on the new program at the beginning of this year.

Senator Hassan also helped create and fund the 988 suicide hotline, which does have a specified veterans crisis line by dialing 988 then pressing 1, or texting 838255. Last year, President Biden signed into law bipartisan legislation introduced by Senator Hassan to strengthen the Solid Start program, which contacts every veteran three times by phone in the first year after they leave active duty service to check in and help connect them to VA programs and benefits.

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