Congress Backs November 16th 'National Warrior Call Day' to Combat Veteran Isolation and Suicide

This resolution officially designates November 16, 2025, as "National Warrior Call Day." The core purpose is simple: to encourage every American, especially those connected to the military, to reach out to a service member or veteran, have a real conversation, and connect them with support if needed. It’s a direct response to alarming statistics, noting that 523 members of the Armed Forces died by suicide in 2023, and the veteran suicide rate (34.7 per 100,000 in 2022) remains significantly higher than the general population.

The Real Cost of Isolation

When you read the fine print, the resolution makes it clear why a designated day is necessary. For those of us juggling work and family, it’s easy to forget that isolation is a major factor worsening issues like PTSD, anxiety, and depression among those who have served. The resolution highlights that many veterans who die by suicide haven't had recent contact with the VA, meaning they’ve fallen out of the official support network. A simple call or text from a peer—a friend, a former colleague, or a family member—can be the vital link that pulls them back into a support structure. This is peer-to-peer connection in action, and the resolution is essentially Congress giving a massive thumbs-up to this specific, proactive intervention.

More Than Just a Call: The TBI Connection

Beyond encouraging outreach, the resolution pushes for something crucial to long-term care: better research. It specifically points out that the "invisible wounds" of mental health struggles might actually be linked to undiagnosed Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI). For a veteran trying to manage life after service, symptoms of an untreated TBI can look a lot like severe anxiety or depression, making treatment difficult. By calling for more research into how TBI contributes to suicide, the resolution is pushing for more accurate diagnoses and better-targeted treatment plans, which is a significant step toward solving the problem, not just managing the symptoms.

What This Means for You

Since this is a resolution, it doesn't create new laws or funding mandates, but it does signal a serious national commitment. For military families and friends, it gives you a specific date—November 16th—to prioritize checking in on someone you know who served. For the rest of us, it’s a reminder that supporting veterans isn't just about parades or holidays; it’s about consistent, personal connection. The goal is to move past the general idea of “supporting our troops” to the concrete action of making a “warrior call,” recognizing that sometimes, the simplest check-in is the most powerful form of support.