S. 3139: VA Zero Suicide Demonstration Project Act of 2025

The VA Zero Suicide Demonstration Project Act of 2025 aims to establish a pilot program within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to address suicide prevention among veterans. Here are the key components of the bill:

Program Establishment

The Secretary of Veterans Affairs is required to set up the Zero Suicide Initiative program within 180 days of the bill becoming law. This program will utilize a curriculum from the Zero Suicide Institute to improve suicide care for veterans and aims to lower suicide rates significantly.

Program Development

The first year of the program will focus on development activities, including planning and selecting program sites. The Secretary of Veterans Affairs will consult various entities, such as:

• Secretary of Health and Human Services
• National Institutes of Health
• Public and private educational institutions
• Experts in suicide assessment and treatment
• Veterans service organizations
• Relevant professional associations

Education and Training

The program will include at least ten weeks of education focusing on suicide care. The selected leaders at each site will be responsible for:

• Completing the organizational self-study
• Attending the Zero Suicide Academy
• Creating a plan for data collection for evaluation purposes
• Communicating the suicide care approach to staff
• Administering workforce surveys to assess comfort and competence in dealing with suicidal patients
• Implementing training on suicide-related processes and policies.

Program Sites

The initiative will be implemented in five VA medical centers, including at least one facility that serves rural and remote veterans. The Secretary will choose sites by consulting experts and considering factors such as:

• Staff capacity and interest
• Geographic location
• Medical center sizes
• Regional suicide rates
• Health characteristics of the populations served

Reporting Requirements

The Secretary is required to submit reports on the program's progress within two years of its establishment and annually thereafter. These reports will evaluate:

• Staff progress in implementing program tasks
• Training rates among staff
• Alignment of policies with the Zero Suicide Institute's standards
• Suicide-related outcomes compared to other VA medical centers

Final Evaluation

After the program ends, a final report will be submitted, analyzing the program's effectiveness, outcomes, and recommendations for future actions, such as potential expansions or making the program permanent.

Program Duration

The program will last for five years, with a possible two-year extension if the Secretary provides prior notice to Congress.

Relevant Companies

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