H.R. 6454: VA Zero Suicide Demonstration Project Act of 2025

This bill, titled the VA Zero Suicide Demonstration Project Act of 2025, aims to establish a pilot program within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) called the Zero Suicide Initiative. The main objectives of this program are to enhance suicide prevention efforts among veterans and improve overall safety and care relating to mental health issues.

Establishment of the Program

The Secretary of Veterans Affairs is required to set up the Zero Suicide Initiative within 180 days following the bill's enactment. This initiative will utilize a curriculum developed by the Zero Suicide Institute, which is affiliated with the Education Development Center. This curriculum focuses on enhancing suicide care specifically for veterans, with the ultimate goal of significantly reducing suicide rates in this population.

Program Development

The initial year of the program is earmarked for planning and establishing the initiative, including the selection of sites where the program will be implemented. The Secretary will seek input from various stakeholders including:

• The Secretary of Health and Human Services
• The National Institutes of Health
• Public and private universities
• Experts in suicide care
• Veterans service organizations
• Relevant professional associations

Program Structure

The Zero Suicide Initiative will consist of at least ten weeks of educational programs aimed at training dedicated staff leaders from selected sites. These leaders will complete various tasks aimed at improving suicide care, including:

• Participating in an organizational self-study
• Attending a two-day Zero Suicide Academy
• Developing a data collection plan for evaluation
• Communicating suicide care approaches to staff
• Administering workforce surveys
• Creating and implementing training processes concerning suicide risk

Implementation Sites

The program is to be implemented across five selected VA medical centers, which must include at least one that primarily serves veterans in rural and remote areas. The Secretary shall select 15 candidate sites within 180 days of the act's enactment, ultimately choosing five sites within 270 days.

Annual Progress and Final Reports

The Secretary will be required to submit an annual progress report to congressional committees detailing:

• The progress of staff leaders in executing program elements
• The percentage of staff trained in relevant suicide prevention practices
• Adherence to standards set by the Zero Suicide Institute
• Comparison of suicide-related outcomes to other VA medical centers

After the program concludes, a final report must be prepared to evaluate the program's effectiveness and consider the feasibility of expanding or extending the initiative.

Termination and Extension of the Program

The program is slated to terminate five years after its establishment, although the Secretary has the authority to extend it for up to two additional years, pending notification to Congress.

Relevant Companies

None found.