VA Employees Get Some Recognition at the Oscars

Employees at the Veterans Affairs Department’s suicide hotline were recognized at the Oscars Sunday, with a film about their work taking home the award for Best Documentary Short.

“Crisis Hotline: Veterans Press 1” -- a 40-minute documentary that first aired on HBO last year -- was given the Academy Award. Produced in association with Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, the film highlights employees of VA’s suicide hotline in Canandaigua, N.Y.

In her acceptance speech, the film’s director, Ellen Goosenberg Kent, expressed her appreciation for the hotline workers.

"I want to thank the people at the crisis line who care for veterans as deeply as if their own lives depend on it," Kent said.

VA Secretary Bob McDonald also appreciated the shout out, both for his employees and the veterans they serve.

“We are pleased that this film has highlighted the challenges our veterans can face and the work of our dedicated Veterans Crisis Line staff to save lives and get veterans into care,” McDonald said. “We are hopeful that this documentary will help raise awareness of this important issue with the American public. Our veterans in crisis need to know that there is hope and asking for help makes them stronger.”

Veterans suicide prevention has been a major issue at the department and in Congress, which recently passed the Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for American Veterans Act. VA has estimated 22 veterans commit suicide every day.

The Veterans Crisis Line launched in 2007, and has answered more than 1.35 million calls and “made more than 42,000 lifesaving rescues,” according to its website. The film shows multiple hotline workers attempting to dissuade veterans from inflicting harm upon themselves.