SJ 256 — Warrior Call Day; designating as first Sunday after Veterans Day in 2023 & each succeeding year.

SESSION INTRODUCEDENROLLED 23100924D I SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO.

256 E N OfferedDesDay Januaryin 11,Virginia.st 2023 Designating the first Sunday after Veterans Day, in 2023 and in each succeeding year, as Warrior Call DayR Agreed to by the Senate, February 1, 2023 O Agreed to by the House of Delegates, February 17, 2023 L WHEREAS, the rate of suicide for members of the United States Armed Forces serving on active duty increased from 20.3 suicides per 100,000 individuals in Virginia.2015 to 28.7 suicides per 100,000 L individuals in 2020;

R –––––––––– Patrons––Vogel, Bell and DeStephE Odying ––––––––––by Dsuicide Referred to Committee on Rules –––––––––– U duty increased from 20.3 suicides per 100,000 individuals in 20152019; to 28.7 suicides per 100,000eC individuals in 2020;

andandfor E WHEREAS, the suicide rate for veterans has steadily increased since 2006, with 6,261 veterans dyingD byWHEREAS, after adjusting for sex and age, the rate of veteran suicide in 2019;2019 was 31.6 suicides per 100,000 individuals, substantially higher than the rate among adults in the United States who are not veterans at 16.8 suicides per 100,000 individuals;

and D WHEREAS, after adjusting for sex and age, the rate of veteran suicide in 2019 was 31.6 suicides per 100,000 individuals, substantially higher than the rate among adults in the United States who are not veterans at 16.8 suicides per 100,000 individuals;

and S WHEREAS, the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have resulted in increased isolation and S5 disconnection, further exacerbating mental and physical ailments such as post-traumatic stress 5isorder and traumatic brain injury;

andting mental and 6physical ailments such as post-traumatic stress disorder E WHEREAS, invisible wounds linked to an underlying and undiagnosed traumatic brain injury can R mirror many mental health conditions, a problem that can be addressed through appropriate medical treatment;

andntaland health conditions, a problem that can be addressed through appropriate medical WHEREAS, additional research is needed to highlight the connection between traumatic brain injury as a root cause of invisible wounds and suicide by active duty members of the United States ArmedArmedury Forces and veterans;

and WHEREAS, Warrior Call Day provides an opportunity to raise awareness of the high rates of death by suicide among veterans and reach out to service members who may be struggling with mental health or feelingWHEREAS, disconnectedon fromWarrior family,Call friends,Day, all Virginians, especially members of the Armed Forces serving on active duty and supportveterans, systems;are encouraged to call up a warrior, have an honest conversation, and connect them with support, understanding that making a warrior call could save a life;

now, therefore, be RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly designate the first Sunday after Veterans Day, in 2023 and :in each succeeding year, as Warrior Call Day in Virginia;

35 on active duty and veterans, are encouraged to call up a warrior, have an honest conversation, and 36 connect them with support, understanding that making a warrior call could save a life;

now, therefore, / 37 be it / 38 RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly designate 39 the first Sunday after Veterans Day, in 2023 and in each succeeding year, as Warrior Call Day in Virginia;