April 29, 2008, Washington, DC - U.S. Senators Patty Murray, Daniel K. Akaka and Tom Harkin will be joined by veterans, veterans’ advocates and mental health leaders to discuss the need for the VA to step up mental health outreach and provide accurate data to Congress and the public at a news conference on Wednesday.

Court evidence revealed last week shows that up to 12,000 veterans receiving VA care attempt suicide each year.

In light of these alarming reports and apparent cover-up of these statistics, Senators Murray and Akaka have called for the resignation of Dr. Ira Katz, the VA's head of mental health, and Senators Harkin and Murray have introduced legislation to better track veterans' suicide in an attempt to improve outreach and care.

The Senators and veterans will talk about the state of mental health care at the VA and renew their calls for strong leadership and improved care.

WHAT: Senators, Vets call for better VA mental health care, transparency

WHO: U.S. Senator Patty Murray
         U.S. Senator Daniel K. Akaka, Chair, Senate Veterans Affairs Committee
         U.S. Senator Tom Harkin
         Joe Violante, National Legislative Director, the Disabled American Veterans
         Patrick Campbell, Legislative Director, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America
         Ralph Ibson, J.D., Vice President for Government Affairs at Mental HealthAmerica

WHEN: Wednesday, April 30th , 10:00 am

WHERE: Senate Veterans Affairs Committee Room, Russell 418