VA Zero Suicide Demonstration Project Act of 2025

# VA Zero Suicide Demonstration Project Act of 2025 Summary **What the Bill Would Do** This bill would establish a pilot program within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) aimed at reducing suicide among veterans. The "Zero Suicide" approach is an evidence-based framework that emphasizes identifying at-risk individuals, providing immediate intervention, and improving mental health care coordination. If passed, the VA would implement this demonstration project to test whether adopting these practices can effectively lower suicide rates among the veteran population. **Who It Affects and Key Details** The bill primarily affects veterans who receive care through the VA system and the VA healthcare providers who treat them. By establishing a demonstration project rather than a broad mandate, the bill allows the VA to test the Zero Suicide model in specific locations before potentially expanding it government-wide.

This approach lets policymakers evaluate what works and gather data on effectiveness before committing to larger-scale implementation. **Current Status** As of now, the bill (HR 6454) remains in committee and has not yet been voted on by the full House of Representatives. It was introduced by Representative Susie Lee (D-NV) in the 119th Congress. The bill would need to advance through committee review and secure sufficient votes to pass in the House before moving to the Senate for consideration.