LONG BEACH, CA — Cal State Long Beach is partnering with the California Department of Veteran Affairs to support a research initiative aimed at reducing veteran deaths by suicide, officials announced Monday.
The initiative will focus on enhancing data collection, analysis, and reporting to better understand and address underlying risk factors for suicides.
“This collaboration represents a new chapter in how data and public service can work hand in hand. By building an integrated, county- and state- level view of veteran health, we are creating data-driven solutions that turn information into meaningful impact for practitioners, policymakers, and veterans alike,” said Jeremy Ramirez, principal investigator for the CSULB Research Foundation.
The project aims to produce recommendations on standardizing the system for collecting and reporting veteran suicide data in all 58 California counties. Those recommendations will be designed to provide coroner and medical examiner offices with clear steps to consider following when classifying, reporting and analyzing such cases.
“This innovative partnership positions California as a national leader in providing the most accurate, comprehensive, and actionable reporting on veteran suicides,” CalVet Deputy Secretary Roberto Herrera said. “We are grateful for our partnership with CSU Long Beach and look forward to this research making a difference in the lives of veterans and their families.”
UC Berkeley is also a partner in the project.
City News Service