Bill Nelson Wants Investigation of VA Suicide Hotline

From his perch on the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee, U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., showcased the shameful shortcomings of the mental health hotline run by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and wants the administration to investigate.

Sending a letter to U.S. Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert McDonald on Tuesday. Nelson pointed to reports of an Air Force veteran who called the suicide prevention hotline based at a VA center in Tampa in which the veteran was put on hold and called for an investigation.

Every day, 22 U.S. veterans commit suicide thats inexcusable, Nelson said on Tuesday. And thats why its necessary that we have an adequate VA support system so that theyve got someplace to turn to. These are the brave men and women who have returned home from protecting our country. So Ive asked the secretary of the VA for a full investigation of the departments mental health hotline. Dont tell me that veterans call, as Ive heard, and they cant get an answer or are put on hold and theyre desperate, about to commit suicide. I want to know why. And I want to know whats being done, not only to fix this immediately but make sure it never happens again.