“Veterans Affairs’ top suicide prevention official will leave that post next month as the congressional focus on the department’s efforts continues to increase.”
“Dr. Keita Franklin, who has served as the National Director for Suicide Prevention at VA for the last 18 months, will step down from the job in July. Officials said the move was not related to any issues with her office’s performance but instead based on other career opportunities outside of VA.”
“Dr. Matt Miller, the current director of the Veterans Crisis Line, will fill the post in an acting capacity until a permanent replacement is selected…”
“About 20 veterans and one active-duty servicemember die by suicide each day, according to the latest research from the department. But those numbers lag by about two years because of national death statistics collection, leading to questions about the impact of recent programming changes at the department.” Read the full article here.
Source: VA’s top suicide prevention official departing in July – By Leo Shane III, June 26, 2019. Military Times.
