VA Zero Suicide Demonstration Project Act

U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND), a member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, and Jacky Rosen (D-NV) re-introduced their VA Zero Suicide Demonstration Project Act. This bipartisan legislation would implement a Zero Suicide Initiative pilot program at five U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical centers across the country, including one that must serve primarily veterans who live in rural areas.

“We need to find ways to lower suicide rates among veterans and get the brave men and women who fought for our country help when they need it,” said Senator Cramer. “Our bill establishes a pilot program aimed at lowering suicide risk for VA patients and improving mental health, safety, and suicide care for veterans.”

“With veteran suicide rates 50% higher than those for non-veteran adults, it’s urgent that we tackle this issue. Our bipartisan legislation will help VA medical centers implement a Zero Suicide framework that delivers comprehensive treatment and prevents veterans who are struggling from falling through the cracks,” said Senator Rosen.

Background

The Zero Suicide framework is a way to improve suicide and mental health care. The base of the approach is the belief that suicide is preventable, and that health care systems are critical in its prevention, because suicide patients often receive services in the year leading up to their suicide attempt or death. The Zero Suicide model takes a system-wide approach to mental and behavioral health services and aims to improve outcomes and close gaps in care. Zero Suicide recognizes that people experiencing suicidal thoughts often “fall through the cracks,” and that there is an opportunity for our health care systems to prioritize the care they receive.

In 2019, the National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report found that an average of 17 veterans die by suicide each day, six of whom sought care from the VA prior to their death. The number of veterans lost to suicide is higher than the number of total U.S. servicemembers killed in military operations since 9/11.

Some health care systems that have implemented the Zero Suicide model have experienced a 75% reduction rate in suicide among patients in the health care system, while generally the nation faced an increased rate of suicide. The Zero Suicide model is endorsed by numerous organizations, including the Joint Commission and the U.S. Surgeon General’s 2012 National Strategy for suicide prevention, and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) which funded implementation of the Zero Suicide model by numerous states, tribes, and health care systems across the country.

Bipartisan companion legislation was introduced in the House by Representatives Susie Lee (D-NV), Tony Gonzales (R-TX), Colin Allred (D-TX), and Anthony Gonzalez (R-OH).