MVA WELCOMES DR. ALI R. TAYYEB
Expert Will Lead Department’s Suicide Prevention Efforts

     LOS ANGELES, Calif. – The Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (MVA) is pleased to announce the selection of Dr. Ali R. Tayyeb to lead suicide prevention efforts and co-lead the Veteran Suicide Prevention Team (VSRT) alongside the existing co-chairs.

     Tayyeb brings exceptional expertise, leadership, and dedication to addressing the needs of the veteran community.

     A U.S. Navy Veteran and Fleet Marine Force Corpsman with over a decade of honorable service, Tayyeb has spent more than ten years supporting veterans through research, education, and policy advocacy, gaining a deep understanding of the veteran community’s unique challenges, including those related to trauma, mental health, and reintegration to civilian life.

     In his new role, Tayyeb will lead the county’s efforts to address and reduce veteran suicide rates by focusing on strategic planning, data analysis, research, and fostering interdepartmental collaborations. His work will be instrumental in enhancing prevention and intervention initiatives that aim to reduce the rate of suicide among veterans in L.A. County.

     The VSRT conducts comprehensive evaluations of circumstances surrounding the deaths of veterans who have died by suicide in county. The team’s mission is to utilize data and information gathered in the review process, and to identify themes or patterns which can impact and inform policy change and programming throughout the county to reduce veteran suicide rates.

     Los Angeles County is home to more than 230,000 veterans, the largest of any county in the nation. Veteran suicide is a national crisis, with veterans facing significantly higher suicide rates compared to their civilian counterparts. According to the California Department of Public Health’s Vital Records Data Office of Health Assessment & Epidemiology and the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, during a 9-year period (2015-2023), there were a total of 7,866 suicide deaths, 796 of which were veterans. Veterans are 1.5 times more likely to die by suicide than non-veterans, with veterans aged 18-34 and those aged 55 and above being especially high risk.

Press inquiries should be directed to Irantzu Pujadas 213.803.0899, ipujadasaguirre@mva.lacounty.gov

    The LA County Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (MVA) provides assistance to L.A. County veterans, active service members and their families with resources, programs, services and state and federal benefits, including compensation and pension claims, burial benefits and services, medical and mental health referral, education and vocational rehabilitation, home loans and grant applications, employment and job placement assistance, DMV veteran designation, legal service referrals, appeal processes, programs for incarcerated veterans, as well as aid and attendance.

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