This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs to create a pilot program called the Zero Suicide Initiative to help reduce suicide rates among veterans. The program will use proven training methods from the Zero Suicide Institute to teach VA staff better ways to identify, assess, and care for veterans at risk of suicide. The VA will set up this program at five of its medical centers across the country, making sure at least one primarily serves veterans in rural areas. Each site will train a team of 5-10 staff leaders who will then teach other employees at their facility about suicide prevention and care. The training covers important topics like screening veterans for suicide risk, having conversations about lethal means safety, creating safety plans, and following up with high-risk patients. The program will run for five years, during which the VA will track how well it's working by comparing suicide rates and outcomes at pilot sites with other VA medical centers. The VA will report annually to Congress on progress and will submit a final report one year after the program ends with recommendations on whether to expand it nationwide.

VA Zero Suicide Demonstration Project Act of 2025

Lee, Susie

VA Zero Suicide Demonstration Project Act of 2025This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to establish the Zero Suicide Initiative pilot program for the purpose of improving safety and suicide care for veterans. The program must be implemented at five VA medical centers, including one that serves veterans in rural and remote areas.