Tucson Standard

U.S. Congressman Juan Ciscomani, representing Arizona's 6th Congressional District, has taken a lead role in advocating for the continued support of the Be Connected Program, a suicide prevention initiative in Arizona. The program is managed by the Arizona Coalition for Military Families and aims to address veteran suicide through community collaboration.

Ciscomani, along with fellow representatives Greg Stanton, Abe Hamadeh, Andy Biggs, Yassamin Ansari, Raul Grijalva, and Senators Mark Kelly and Ruben Gallego, addressed a letter to Secretary of Veterans Affairs Denis McDonough. They expressed concern over potential funding cuts that could impact the program's effectiveness in supporting veterans.

"The loss of our veterans to suicide demands not just words but bold, coordinated national, state, and local efforts," stated the lawmakers in their letter. They emphasized the importance of destigmatizing mental health support and enhancing access to resources.

The Be Connected Program was established in 2017 as a response to high suicide rates among Arizona veterans. It provides various services including career navigation and financial assistance while fostering partnerships between public and private sectors. The program is recognized nationally for its collaborative approach.

Thomas Winkel, Director of the Arizona Coalition for Military Families, highlighted ongoing challenges despite efforts to communicate available help. "Veteran suicide is not a new problem," he said. "Trust in governmental institutions and bureaucratic systems is fractured."

Be Connected aligns with VA’s Suicide Prevention 2.0 initiative by adopting a community-based public health strategy alongside clinical efforts. It receives funding from both the Arizona Department of Veterans’ Services and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

More information about Be Connected can be found online.