Club hosts launch of campaign to prevent veterans’ suicide

The White House and Veterans Administration on Tuesday came to the National Press Club to launch a program designed to prevent veterans from committing suicide -- illustrating the importance of the Club as a newsmaking venue as Washington begins to reopen.

The event featured Second Lady Karen Pence, Secretary of Veterans Affairs Robert Wilkie and U.S. Surgeon General Jerome Adams. It kicked off a public health campaign to encourage Americans to reach out to vulnerable veterans. The effort is part of the President’s Roadmap to Empower Veterans and End a National Tragedy of Suicide (PREVENTS).

The session drew some 45 people as well as hundreds more who viewed it through a webcast. Attendees were all socially distanced -- sitting at least six feet apart in the ballroom. Everyone wore masks except when speaking at the podium. 

"Suicide among veterans is a crisis unto itself and one of the most significant challenges facing our nation's military today," said Club President Michael Freedman. "It was an honor to host an event of this importance and to help bring this issue to the forefront, especially in the midst of all we are facing today."

Although Tuesday’s event was not sponsored by the Club, it demonstrated the Club's role as "the place where news happens" even during the coronavirus pandemic. The Club also hosted Gov. Andrew Cuomo in late May prior to reopening for in-person services in early June. 

“This was a big day for the National Press Club as a place that can produce safe and responsible hybrid events in a challenging climate," said Executive Director Bill McCarren. "We know the virus is very much alive in our country and we must be extremely focused and disciplined to remain safe. We learned quite a bit from hosting Governor Cuomo’s Covid-19 briefing at the end of May, and we built on that  knowledge today. The fact that Mrs. Pence and top administration officials came to the Club speaks well of it as a venue during a difficult time. ”

The veterans program launch was one of the first public events for many of the participants since the beginning of the pandemic. Adams said it was the first live event he has attended since February but that the topic was critical and he felt he must attend and support the campaign.