DURING SUICIDE PREVENTION MONTH, CONGRESSMAN PAT RYAN SECURES MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES FOR HUDSON VALLEY VETERANS

During Suicide Prevention Month, Congressman Pat Ryan Secures Mental Health Resources for Hudson Valley Veterans

Ryan delivered $595,316 for Mental Health America of Dutchess County to save lives by boosting its suicide prevention services and increasing mental health resources for Hudson Valley veterans

POUGHKEEPSIE, NY –  Today, Congressman Pat Ryan secured $595,316 for Mental Health America of Dutchess County (MHADC) to save lives by investing in its suicide prevention and mental health services for Hudson Valley veterans. The funding will support MHADC’s comprehensive veteran suicide prevention programming that provides veterans with direct assistance from specialists, access to therapeutic activities and mental health resources, as well as a full-spectrum of support services. Ryan, a West Point graduate and Army veteran, delivered the funding during National Suicide Prevention Month and has fought for funding for veteran suicide prevention programs since his time as Ulster County Executive. The federal funding awarded to Mental Health America of Dutchess County is from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)’s Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grants (SSG Fox SPGP.)

“MHADC’s veterans program saves lives - period,” said Congressman Pat Ryan. “Every day, we lose more than 17 heroes to suicide - we should not lose even one. I know that MHADC is right with me in saying that we will not rest until we end the suicide and mental health crisis facing our veterans. I’m proud that these funds will deliver the support and services that every veteran deserves.”

“MHADC is excited to have our SSG Fox SPGP renewed for a third year,” said Alyssa Carrion, Director of Veterans Programs at Mental Health America of Dutchess County. “The funds provided by this grant provide suicide prevention services for the Veterans of Dutchess and Orange Counties.  We provide yoga, art, equine, music, reiki, and meditation services for our enrollees, as well as access to TISA funds for emergency situations.  This grant has made an amazing difference in the lives of our local Veterans and we are thrilled to continue for a third year.”

“We are overwhelmed and so grateful to receive our third year of funding through the SSG Fox SPGP,” said Dr Lisa Connolly, Psy.D., LMHC, Chief Operating Office of Mental Health America of Dutchess County. “Our MHA’s Veterans’ Program has done so many worthwhile and incredibly creative endeavors with this funding. Thank you so much for entrusting us, and we promise to continue to meet and exceed all your expectations.”

The VA’s Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grants directs funding to community-based suicide prevention efforts and increases accessibility to VA support and resources through community-based organizations. 

Mental Health America of Dutchess County’s SSG Fox SPGP’s program provides veterans with direct assistance from program specialists and connects them with the specific supportive services they need. The program offers unique opportunities and therapeutic approaches including equine, art, and music therapy to keep veterans active and engaged. Additionally, the program assists veterans with Temporary Income Support Assistance and VA benefits and healthcare assistance. 

MHADC’s other veterans programs offer a full spectrum of services to uplift Hudson Valley veterans, including:

• Vet2Vet is funded by the Joseph P. Dwyer Veterans’ Peer Services Project. Services include support groups, short-term care management, recovery groups, referrals for specialized care, benefits claims assistance, educational information, and free social events and supportive networks.Advocacy
• The HERO Program that tackles veteran homelessness and includes funding for emergency housing for veterans and their families.
• The Veterans Employment Training & Transitions Assistance Program (VET-TAP) assists veterans in gaining fulfilling employment, including resume building, job hunting, job applications, and interview preparation. The program also offers local Veterans the opportunity to obtain licenses and certifications in various fields. 

According to the VA’s 2023 National Veteran Suicide Precention Annual Report, the U.S. loses over 17 veterans per day to suicide. The Report also found that suicide was the 13th leading cause of death among veterans in 2021 and the American Psychological Association notes that veterans are 1.5 times more likely to die by suicide than nonveteran adults.

Congressman Ryan graduated from the United States military Academy at West Point in 2004 and is the first West Point graduate to represent the Academy in Congress. He served two combat tours in Iraq with the U.S. Army. As Ulster County Executive, Ryan fought for funding for the The Dwyer Veteran Peer Support Projects, a peer-to-peer program that supports veterans living with PTSD, TBI, addiction, and mental health challenges. 

Ryan serves on the House Armed Services Committee and is a member of the House Bipartisan Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Task Force. Ryan has pushed for significant legislation to address the suicide and mental health crisis in the veteran and military servicemember communities, including the Veterans’ Sentinel Act, the PFC Joseph P. Dwyer Peer Support Program Act, and the Vet CENTERS for Mental Health Act as well as resolutions to bring awareness to the crisis including Recognizing the Suicide Awareness and Remembrance Flag and Expressing support for the designation of September 22 as "National Military and Veterans Suicide Awareness Day.”

Ryan has fought for federal funding for organizations that support Hudson Valley veterans, including delivering $1 million for the Rumshock Veterans Foundation’s Veterans Village Project that is currently constructing affordable housing for homeless veterans in Orange County. 

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