The NYC City Council Must Join The Fight Against Veteran Suicide
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 26th, 2026
CONTACT: info@fiveboroveterans.com
NEW YORK, NY — Every year, New York City loses neighbors, friends, and family members to suicide. For our community across the five boroughs, these losses hit home with a frequency that we all know too well. Nationally, veterans are at a 50% higher risk of suicide than those who haven't served. In New York City, we are home to over 200,000 veterans (that we know of), yet when it comes to the City’s official data, we remain largely invisible.
That must change on Tuesday, January 27th, 2026.
Five Borough Veterans is calling on the NYC City Council to pass Intro T2026-0155, a vital bill that would finally mandate an annual report on suicide in our city. We fully support this legislation as a long-overdue step toward mental health transparency. However, as currently written, the bill does not explicitly require the City to track veteran status. We are heading to City Hall to ensure the Council includes this life-saving amendment so that our community is finally accounted for.
Why Veteran Data is Non-Negotiable
The reality is simple: the City cannot fix what it does not measure. By including veteran status in this annual report, the Council will finally allow us to identify service gaps and determine if these tragedies are occurring among veterans who are disconnected from the VA. It allows for the effective allocation of resources. We cannot advocate for localized veteran mental health funding if the City claims it lacks the data to justify it. Most importantly, it will save lives by allowing for targeted outreach in the specific neighborhoods where our community members are struggling most.
EVENT DETAILS:
WHAT: NYC City Council Hearing – Suicide Reporting Bill (Intro T2026-0155)
WHEN: Tuesday, January 27, 2026, at 1:00 PM
WHERE: 250 Broadway, New York, NY
REGISTRATION: Veterans and supporters are encourage to sign up at https://luma.com/1v6c2qmz
Five Borough Veterans is a community-led organization dedicated to amplifying the voices of NYC’s military-connected community through advocacy, civic engagement, and direct service.
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