Runyan Recognized for Suicide Prevention Efforts

Commitment to finding ways to lower the self-inflicted death rate among military personnel wins shore Representative Jon Runyan (R-3) recognition by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP). The group designated him among their 2013 "Allies for Action."

"The suicide rate among our military personnel and veterans is of serious concern,” said AFSP Senior Director of Public Policy John Madigan in a prepared statement. “It is clear that more must be done to address this national health problem especially as more soldiers return home from Iraq and Afghanistan.”

Runyan and central Jersey Representative Rush Holt (D-12) have successfully lobbied for federal funding for veterans suicide prevention outreach in each of the past two years.

Runyan calls suicide prevention one of his top priorities. "Every day, 22 military veterans commit suicide according to the Department of Veterans Affairs.  This should be unacceptable to every American," he said.