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Tampa Bay-based lawmakers, Sen. Danny Burgess and Rep. Ben Diamond, have teamed up to file legislation that would implement the Veteran Suicide Prevention Pilot Program in Florida.
The proposal would establish a pilot program directing the Florida Department of Veterans Affairs to offer each local veteran service officer specialized training and certification in preventing veteran suicide. Each year more than 500 Florida veterans die by suicide.
“We have a responsibility to honor their service with the support they need to thrive,” Diamond said. “The statistics tell a devastating story; our heroes need help,” said Burgess, former executive director of FDVA.
– Kelly Hayes, The Tampa Bay 100
