The newly formed Veteran Suicide Review Team looks to identify gaps to increase enhanced support extended to veterans, including those living in Santa Clarita.

On Thursday, the Veteran Suicide Review Team met for its inaugural meeting, kick-starting an innovative and collaborative approach to reducing veteran suicide in Santa Clarita and wider Los Angeles County, according to county officials.

“The Veteran Suicide Review Team is the first of its kind in the State of California,” said Kathryn Barger, County Supervisor representing the 5th District, who co-authored the motion to create the group.

“Each of you in this room is making a difference in the lives of the individuals that have given their lives for us and our freedom.”

The team consists of professionals from multiple disciplines, with the effort being jointly led by the county’s Departments of Mental Health, Public Health and Medical Examiner/Coroner, along with representatives from the Department of Military and Veteran Affairs, city of Los Angeles and federal, state and private agencies.

“The unfortunate reality is that veterans die by suicide at four times more than the national average,” said La Tina Jackson, Deputy Director of L.A. County’s Department of Mental Health’s Countywide Engagement Division.

“They have a 57 percent higher risk for death by suicide than those who have not served. This is the disproportionate but preventable burden that each of us gathered here today have made a commitment to course correct.”

Team members plan to implement a data-driven and collaborative death review process to systemically analyze veteran suicides and create preventative protocols and services for veterans in the county.

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