PREVENTS Public Health Campaign Launch

The White House and Veterans Administration came to the National Press Club on July 7 to launch a program designed to prevent veterans from committing suicide.

The event featured Second Lady Karen Pence, Secretary of Veterans Affairs Robert Wilkie and U.S. Surgeon General Jerome Adams. It kicked off a public health campaign to encourage Americans to reach out to vulnerable veterans. The effort is part of the President’s Roadmap to Empower Veterans and End a National Tragedy of Suicide (PREVENTS).

The session drew some 45 people as well as hundreds more who viewed it through a webcast. Attendees were all socially distanced -- sitting at least six feet apart in the ballroom. Everyone wore masks except when speaking at the podium.

"Suicide among veterans is a crisis unto itself and one of the most significant challenges facing our nation's military today," said Club President Michael Freedman. "It was an honor to host an event of this importance and to help bring this issue to the forefront, especially in the midst of all we are facing today."

The veterans program launch was one of the first public events for many of the participants since the beginning of the pandemic. Adams said it was the first live event he has attended since February but that the topic was critical and he felt he must attend and support the campaign.