59–006 

110TH CONGRESS REPORT " ! HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 1st Session 110–55 

JOSHUA OMVIG VETERANS SUICIDE PREVENTION ACT 

MARCH 20, 2007.—Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State 

of the Union and ordered to be printed 

Mr. FILNER, from the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, 

submitted the following 

R E P O R T 

together with 

ADDITIONAL VIEWS 

[To accompany H.R. 327] 

[Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office] 

The Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, to whom was referred the 

bill (H.R. 327) to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to develop 

and implement a comprehensive program designed to reduce the 

incidence of suicide among veterans, having considered the same, 

report favorably thereon with amendments and recommend that 

the bill as amended do pass. 

CONTENTS 

Page 

Purpose and Summary ............................................................................................ 3 

Background and Need for Legislation .................................................................... 3 

Legislative History .................................................................................................. 4 

Section-by-Section .................................................................................................... 4 

Committee Consideration ........................................................................................ 5 

Rollcall Votes ............................................................................................................ 6 

Application of Law to the Legislative Branch ....................................................... 6 

Statement of Oversight Findings and Recommendations of the Committee ...... 6 

Statement of General Performance Goals and Objectives .................................... 6 

Constitutional Authority Statement ...................................................................... 6 

Federal Advisory Committee Act ............................................................................ 6 

Unfunded Mandate Statement ............................................................................... 6 

Earmark Identification ............................................................................................ 6 

Committee Estimate ................................................................................................ 6 

Budget Authority and Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate .................... 7 

Changes in Existing Law Made by the Bill as Reported ...................................... 8 

Additional Views ...................................................................................................... 11 


bajohnson on PROD1PC77 with REPORTS
2 

Committee Correspondence .................................................................................... 13 

The amendments are as follows: 

Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the following: 

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 

This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Joshua Omvig Veterans Suicide Prevention Act’’. 

SEC. 2. SENSE OF CONGRESS. 

It is the sense of Congress that—

(1) suicide among veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (in 

this section referred to as ‘‘PTSD’’) is a serious problem; and 

(2) the Secretary of Veterans Affairs should take into consideration the special needs of veterans suffering from PTSD and the special needs of elderly veterans who are at high risk for depression and experience high rates of suicide 

in developing and implementing the comprehensive program under this Act. 

SEC. 3. COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAM FOR SUICIDE PREVENTION AMONG VETERANS. 

(a) IN GENERAL.—

(1) COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAM FOR SUICIDE PREVENTION AMONG VETERANS.—

Chapter 17 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end 

the following new section: 

‘‘§ 1720F. Comprehensive program for suicide prevention among veterans 

‘‘(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Secretary shall develop and carry out a comprehensive 

program designed to reduce the incidence of suicide among veterans incorporating 

the components described in this section. 

‘‘(b) STAFF EDUCATION.—In carrying out the comprehensive program under this 

section, the Secretary shall provide for mandatory training for appropriate staff and 

contractors (including all medical personnel) of the Department who interact with 

veterans. This training shall cover information appropriate to the duties being performed by such staff and contractors. The training shall include information on—

‘‘(1) recognizing risk factors for suicide; 

‘‘(2) proper protocols for responding to crisis situations involving veterans who 

may be at high risk for suicide; and 

‘‘(3) best practices for suicide prevention. 

‘‘(c) SCREENING OF VETERANS RECEIVING MEDICAL CARE.—In carrying out the 

comprehensive program, the Secretary shall provide for screening of veterans who 

receive medical care at a Department medical facility (including a center established 

under section 1712A of this title) for risk factors for suicide. 

‘‘(d) TRACKING OF VETERANS.—In carrying out the comprehensive program, the 

Secretary shall provide for appropriate tracking of veterans. 

‘‘(e) COUNSELING AND TREATMENT OF VETERANS.—In carrying out the comprehensive program, the Secretary shall provide for referral of veterans at risk for suicide 

for appropriate counseling and treatment. 

‘‘(f) DESIGNATION OF SUICIDE PREVENTION COUNSELORS.—In carrying out the comprehensive program, the Secretary shall designate a suicide prevention counselor at 

each Department medical facility other than centers established under section 

1712A of this title. Each counselor shall work with local emergency rooms, police 

departments, mental health organizations, and veterans service organizations to engage in outreach to veterans and improve the coordination of mental health care to 

veterans. 

‘‘(g) BEST PRACTICES RESEARCH.—In carrying out the comprehensive program, the 

Secretary shall provide for research on best practices for suicide prevention among 

veterans. Research shall be conducted under this subsection in consultation with the 

heads of the following entities: 

‘‘(1) The Department of Health and Human Services. 

‘‘(2) The National Institute of Mental Health. 

‘‘(3) The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. 

‘‘(4) The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 

‘‘(h) SEXUAL TRAUMA RESEARCH.—In carrying out the comprehensive program, the 

Secretary shall provide for research on mental health care for veterans who have 

experienced sexual trauma while in military service. The research design shall include consideration of veterans of a reserve component. 

‘‘(i) 24-HOUR MENTAL HEALTH CARE.—In carrying out the comprehensive program, the Secretary shall provide for mental health care availability to veterans on 

a 24-hour basis. 

‘‘(j) HOTLINE.—In carrying out the comprehensive program, the Secretary may 

provide for a toll-free hotline for veterans to be staffed by appropriately trained 

mental health personnel and available at all times. 


bajohnson on PROD1PC77 with REPORTS
3 

‘‘(k) OUTREACH AND EDUCATION FOR VETERANS AND FAMILIES.—In carrying out 

the comprehensive program, the Secretary shall provide for outreach to and education for veterans and the families of veterans, with special emphasis on providing 

information to veterans of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom and the families of such veterans. Education to promote mental health shall 

include information designed to— ‘‘(1) remove the stigma associated with mental illness; 

‘‘(2) encourage veterans to seek treatment and assistance for mental illness; 

‘‘(3) promote skills for coping with mental illness; and 

‘‘(4) help families of veterans with— ‘‘(A) understanding issues arising from the readjustment of veterans to civilian life; ‘‘(B) identifying signs and symptoms of mental illness; and 

‘‘(C) encouraging veterans to seek assistance for mental illness. ‘‘(l) PEER SUPPORT COUNSELING PROGRAM.—(1) In carrying out the comprehensive 

program, the Secretary shall establish and carry out a peer support counseling program, under which veterans shall be permitted to volunteer as peer counselors— ‘‘(A) to assist other veterans with issues related to mental health and readjustment; and ‘‘(B) to conduct outreach to veterans and the families of veterans. ‘‘(2) In carrying out the peer support counseling program under this subsection, 

the Secretary shall provide adequate training for peer counselors. ‘‘(m) OTHER COMPONENTS.—In carrying out the comprehensive program, the Secretary may provide for other actions to reduce the incidence of suicide among veterans that the Secretary deems appropriate.’’. (2) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections at the beginning of such 

chapter is amended by adding at the end the following new item: 

‘‘1720F. Comprehensive program for suicide prevention among veterans.’’. 

(b) REPORT TO CONGRESS.— (1) REPORT REQUIRED.—Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to Congress a 

report on the comprehensive program under section 1720A of title 38, United 

States Code, as added by subsection (a). 

(2) CONTENTS OF REPORT.—The report shall contain the following: 

(A) Information on the status of the implementation of such program. 

(B) Information on the time line and costs for complete implementation 

of the program within two years. 

(C) A plan for additional programs and activities designed to reduce the 

occurrence of suicide among veterans. 

(D) Recommendations for further legislation or administrative action that 

the Secretary considers appropriate to improve suicide prevention programs 

within the Department of Veterans Affairs. 

Amend the title so as to read: 

A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to direct the Secretary of Veterans 

Affairs to develop and implement a comprehensive program designed to reduce the 

incidence of suicide among veterans. 

PURPOSE AND SUMMARY

H.R. 327, the Joshua Omvig Veterans Suicide Prevention Act, 

was introduced on January 9, 2007, by Representative Leonard L. 

Boswell. The legislation would improve the ability of the Department of Veterans Affairs to develop and implement a comprehensive program designed to reduce the incidence of suicide among 

veterans. 

BACKGROUND AND NEED FOR LEGISLATION

Over the course of combat operations in Afghanistan (Operation 

Enduring Freedom—OEF) and Iraq (Operation Iraqi Freedom—

OIF), there has been a growing concern with the number of suicides that have occurred in the OEF/OIF soldier and veteran population. The Mental Health Advisory Team (MHAT—III), established by the Office of the Surgeon General, United States Army 


bajohnson on PROD1PC77 with REPORTS
4 

Medical Command, at the request of the Office of the Surgeon, 

Multinational Force-Iraq, issued a report on May 29, 2006, that 

found that for calendar year 2005, the suicide rate for the OIF area 

of operations was 19.9 per 100,000 soldiers. That rate is considerably higher than the national average, and the Army’s overall reported rate of 13.1 per 100,000. 

The stress of combat, along with the stigma that exists for soldiers and veterans seeking mental health care, can intensify and 

trigger a complex set of behaviors that may lead to thoughts of suicide. It is vital that suicide prevention, education, and awareness 

programs be strengthened throughout the VA health care system. 

Just recently, VA announced that research concerning suicides 

among OEF/OIF returnees was underway and that it was implementing a comprehensive education and training effort within local 

communities, as well as at VA facilities. 

H.R. 327 addresses this need to strengthen suicide prevention, 

education, and awareness programs within the VA by mandating 

a comprehensive program for suicide prevention among veterans. 

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY

H.R. 327, the Joshua Omvig Veterans Suicide Prevention Act, 

was introduced by Representative Leonard Boswell, on January 9, 

2007, and was referred to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. H.R. 

327 resembles legislation introduced in the 109th Congress in both 

the House and the Senate. Senator Harkin of Iowa has also introduced a version of the Joshua Omvig Suicide Prevention Act, S. 

479, on February 1, 2007. 

On March 13, 2007, the Subcommittee on Health reported H.R. 

327 to the full Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. 

The Committee held a markup to consider H.R. 327 on March 15, 

2007, and ordered the bill reported by a voice vote. 

SECTION-BY-SECTION

This bill would direct the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) 

to develop and implement a comprehensive program to reduce the 

incidence of suicide among veterans. 

Section 1. Short title 

This section would provide the short title of H.R. 327 as the 

‘‘Joshua Omvig Veterans Suicide Prevention Act.’’

Section 2. Sense of Congress 

This section would express the sense of Congress that suicide 

among veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder 

(PTSD) is a serious problem. This section also expresses that it is 

the sense of Congress that the Secretary of Veterans Affairs should 

take into consideration the special needs of veterans suffering from 

PTSD and the special needs of elderly veterans who are at a high 

risk for depression and experience high rates of suicide in developing and implementing the comprehensive program under this Act 


bajohnson on PROD1PC77 with REPORTS
5 

Section 3. Comprehensive program for suicide prevention among 

veterans 

This section would provide that VA shall develop a comprehensive program that includes the components described in Section 4. 

Section 4. Components of program 

Subsection (a) would require the VA to provide education and 

training for VA staff, contractors, and medical personnel who have 

interaction with veterans. 

Subsection (b) would direct the VA to regularly screen and monitor all veterans who receive medical care in the VA health care 

system for risk factors for suicide and to provide for referral of veterans at risk for suicide for appropriate counseling and treatment. 

Subsection (c) would require the VA to provide for the appropriate tracking of veterans. 

Subsection (d) would direct the VA to provide for referral of veterans at risk for suicide for appropriate counseling and treatment. 

Subsection (e) would require the VA to designate a suicide prevention counselor at each VAMC. 

Subsection (f) would mandate that VA to research the best practices for suicide prevention among veterans, including best practices for helping veterans who have experienced military sexual 

trauma. It requires the VA to work with the Department of Health 

and Human Services, the National Institutes of Health, the Centers for Disease Control, and the Substance Abuse and Mental 

Health Service Administration when conducting research. 

Subsection (g) would require the VA to conduct mental health research on veterans who have experienced military sexual trauma. 

Subsection (h) would require the VA to provide for the availability of 24-hour mental health care for veterans. 

Subsection (i) would provide for a toll-free hotline to be available 

at all times. 

Subsection (j) would provide outreach and education for veterans 

and their families to promote mental health. 

Subsection (k) would create a peer support-counseling program 

where veterans can volunteer as peer counselors to assist other veterans with mental health and readjustment problems. 

Subsection (l) would mandate that the Secretary may provide, as 

the Secretary deems appropriate, for other actions to reduce the incidence of suicide among veterans. 

Section 5. Report to Congress 

This section would require the VA to report, not later than 90 

days after enactment, on the status of implementation, timeline 

and costs for complete implementation of the program within two 

years, a plan for additional programs and activities designed to reduce the occurrence of suicide among veterans, and recommendations by the VA for further legislation to improve suicide prevention programs. 

COMMITTEE CONSIDERATION

On Thursday, March 15, 2007, the Committee ordered the bill reported to the House by a voice vote. 


bajohnson on PROD1PC77 with REPORTS
6 

ROLLCALL VOTES

The Committee held no rollcall votes on this bill. 

APPLICATION OF LAW TO THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH

Section 102(b)(3) of Public Law 104–1 requires a description of 

the application of this bill to the legislative branch where the bill 

relates to the terms and conditions of employment or access to public services and accommodations. This bill does not relate to employment or access to public services and accommodations. 

STATEMENT OF OVERSIGHT FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF

THE COMMITTEE

In compliance with clause 3(c)(1) of rule XIII and clause (2)(b)(1) 

of rule X of the Rules of the House of Representatives, the Committee’s oversight findings and recommendations are reflected in the 

descriptive portions of this report. 

STATEMENT OF GENERAL PERFORMANCE GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

In accordance with clause (3)(c)(4) of rule XIII of the Rules of the 

House of Representatives, the Committee’s performance goals and 

objectives are reflected in the descriptive portions of this report. 

CONSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITY STATEMENT

Under clause 3(d)(1) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of 

Representatives, the Committee must include a statement citing 

the specific powers granted to Congress to enact the law proposed 

by H.R. 327. Article 1, Section 8 of the Constitution of the United 

States grants Congress the power to enact this law. 

FEDERAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE ACT

The Committee finds that the legislation does not establish or 

authorize the establishment of an advisory committee within the 

definition of 5 U.S.C. App., Section 5(b). 

UNFUNDED MANDATE STATEMENT

Section 423 of the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act (as amended by Section 101(a)(2) of the Unfunded Mandate 

Reform Act, P.L. 104–4) requires a statement whether the provisions of the reported bill include unfunded mandates. In compliance with this requirement the Committee has received a letter 

from the Congressional Budget Office that is included herein. 

EARMARK IDENTIFICATION

H.R. 327 does not contain any congressional earmarks, limited 

tax benefits, or limited tariff benefits as defined in clause 9(d), 9(e), 

or 9(f) of rule XXI of the Rules of the House of Representatives. 

COMMITTEE ESTIMATE

Clause 3(d)(2) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives requires an estimate and a comparison by the Committee of the costs that would be incurred in carrying out H.R. 327. 


bajohnson on PROD1PC77 with REPORTS
7 

However, clause 3(d)(3)(B) of that rule provides that this requirement does not apply when the Committee has included in its report 

a timely submitted cost estimate of the bill prepared by the Director of the Congressional Budget Office under Section 402 of the 

Congressional Budget Act. 

BUDGET AUTHORITY AND CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE COST

ESTIMATE

U.S. CONGRESS, 

CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE, 

Washington, DC, March 19, 2007. 

Hon. BOB FILNER, Chairman, Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, 

House of Representatives, Washington, DC. 

DEAR MR. CHAIRMAN: The Congressional Budget Office has prepared the enclosed cost estimate for H.R. 327, the Joshua Omvig 

Veterans Suicide Prevention Act. 

If you wish further details on this estimate, we will be pleased 

to provide them. The CBO staff contact is Michelle S. Patterson. 

Sincerely, 

PETER R. ORSZAG, 

Director. 

Enclosure. 

H.R. 327—Joshua Omvig Veterans Suicide Prevention Act 

H.R. 327 would require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to 

develop and implement a comprehensive program to reduce the incidence of suicide among veterans. This bill would require that the 

program have specific components, including training for all staff 

who interact with veterans, annual screenings of veterans for risk 

factors for suicide, a suicide prevention counselor at each medical 

facility, and outreach and education for veterans and their families. 

According to VA, most of those requirements are already in place 

or will be implemented before the end of the year. For example, 

training seminars have recently begun for all employees and peersupport groups are a regular facet of veterans’ rehabilitation centers. Annual screenings for suicide risk factors such as depression 

and alcohol abuse are routinely performed by primary care physicians. Two medical centers are focused on research and education 

about suicide and its prevention. In addition, VA works with other 

medical providers in the community to reach veterans who may not 

use the VA health care system. VA also plans to hire suicide-prevention professionals at each of its hospitals. The bill would authorize VA to create a toll-free hotline staffed by mental health personnel, and the agency is currently considering the feasibility of 

doing this. 

CBO estimates, therefore, that implementing this bill would have 

little, if any, cost because VA already has or soon will implement 

all the specific requirements of the bill. Enacting the bill would not 

affect direct spending or receipts. 

H.R. 327 contains no intergovernmental or private-sector mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act and would 

not affect the budgets of state, local, or tribal governments. 


bajohnson on PROD1PC77 with REPORTS
8 

The CBO staff contact for this estimate is Michelle S. Patterson. 

This estimate was approved by Robert A. Sunshine, Assistant Director for Budget Analysis. 

CHANGES IN EXISTING LAW MADE BY THE BILL, AS REPORTED

In compliance with clause 3(e) of rule XIII of the Rules of the 

House of Representatives, changes in existing law made by the bill, 

as reported, are shown as follows (new matter is printed in italic 

and existing law in which no change is proposed is shown in 

roman): 

CHAPTER 17 OF TITLE 38, UNITED STATES CODE 

CHAPTER 17—HOSPITAL, NURSING HOME, 

DOMICILIARY, AND MEDICAL CARE 

SUBCHAPTER I—GENERAL 

Sec. 

1701. Definitions. 

* * * * * * * 

SUBCHAPTER II—HOSPITAL, NURSING HOME, OR DOMICILIARY CARE AND 

MEDICAL TREATMENT 

* * * * * * * 

1720F. Comprehensive program for suicide prevention among veterans. 

* * * * * * * 

SUBCHAPTER II—HOSPITAL, NURSING HOME, OR 

DOMICILIARY CARE AND MEDICAL TREATMENT 

* * * * * * * 

§ 1720F. Comprehensive program for suicide prevention 

among veterans 

(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Secretary shall develop and carry out 

a comprehensive program designed to reduce the incidence of suicide among veterans incorporating the components described in this 

section. 

(b) STAFF EDUCATION.—In carrying out the comprehensive program under this section, the Secretary shall provide for mandatory 

training for appropriate staff and contractors (including all medical 

personnel) of the Department who interact with veterans. This training shall cover information appropriate to the duties being performed by such staff and contractors. The training shall include information on—

(1) recognizing risk factors for suicide; 

(2) proper protocols for responding to crisis situations involving veterans who may be at high risk for suicide; and 

(3) best practices for suicide prevention. 

(c) SCREENING OF VETERANS RECEIVING MEDICAL CARE.—In carrying out the comprehensive program, the Secretary shall provide 

for screening of veterans who receive medical care at a Department 

medical facility (including a center established under section 1712A 

of this title) for risk factors for suicide. 


bajohnson on PROD1PC77 with REPORTS
9 

(d) TRACKING OF VETERANS.—In carrying out the comprehensive 

program, the Secretary shall provide for appropriate tracking of veterans. 

(e) COUNSELING AND TREATMENT OF VETERANS.—In carrying out 

the comprehensive program, the Secretary shall provide for referral 

of veterans at risk for suicide for appropriate counseling and treatment. 

(f) DESIGNATION OF SUICIDE PREVENTION COUNSELORS.—In carrying out the comprehensive program, the Secretary shall designate 

a suicide prevention counselor at each Department medical facility 

other than centers established under section 1712A of this title. 

Each counselor shall work with local emergency rooms, police departments, mental health organizations, and veterans service organizations to engage in outreach to veterans and improve the coordination of mental health care to veterans. 

(g) BEST PRACTICES RESEARCH.—In carrying out the comprehensive program, the Secretary shall provide for research on best practices for suicide prevention among veterans. Research shall be conducted under this subsection in consultation with the heads of the 

following entities: 

(1) The Department of Health and Human Services. 

(2) The National Institute of Mental Health. 

(3) The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. 

(4) The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 

(h) SEXUAL TRAUMA RESEARCH.—In carrying out the comprehensive program, the Secretary shall provide for research on mental 

health care for veterans who have experienced sexual trauma while 

in military service. The research design shall include consideration 

of veterans of a reserve component. 

(i) 24-HOUR MENTAL HEALTH CARE.—In carrying out the comprehensive program, the Secretary shall provide for mental health 

care availability to veterans on a 24-hour basis. 

(j) HOTLINE.—In carrying out the comprehensive program, the 

Secretary may provide for a toll-free hotline for veterans to be 

staffed by appropriately trained mental health personnel and available at all times. 

(k) OUTREACH AND EDUCATION FOR VETERANS AND FAMILIES.—In 

carrying out the comprehensive program, the Secretary shall provide 

for outreach to and education for veterans and the families of veterans, with special emphasis on providing information to veterans 

of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom and 

the families of such veterans. Education to promote mental health 

shall include information designed to— (1) remove the stigma associated with mental illness; 

(2) encourage veterans to seek treatment and assistance for 

mental illness; 

(3) promote skills for coping with mental illness; and 

(4) help families of veterans with— (A) understanding issues arising from the readjustment 

of veterans to civilian life; 

(B) identifying signs and symptoms of mental illness; 

and 

(C) encouraging veterans to seek assistance for mental illness. 


bajohnson on PROD1PC77 with REPORTS
10 

(l) PEER SUPPORT COUNSELING PROGRAM.—(1) In carrying out the 

comprehensive program, the Secretary shall establish and carry out 

a peer support counseling program, under which veterans shall be 

permitted to volunteer as peer counselors— (A) to assist other veterans with issues related to mental 

health and readjustment; and 

(B) to conduct outreach to veterans and the families of 

veterans. 

(2) In carrying out the peer support counseling program under 

this subsection, the Secretary shall provide adequate training for 

peer counselors. 

(m) OTHER COMPONENTS.—In carrying out the comprehensive 

program, the Secretary may provide for other actions to reduce the 

incidence of suicide among veterans that the Secretary deems appropriate. 

* * * * * * * 


bajohnson on PROD1PC77 with REPORTS
(11) 

ADDITIONAL VIEWS OF HON. STEVE BUYER 

In my letter of March 8, 2007, objecting to the markup on the 

bills, including H.R. 327, H.R. 612, H.R. 797, and H.R. 1284 (letter 

attached), I strongly urged legislative hearings on these bills prior 

to the markup. Had the Committee followed regular order in holding legislative hearings on H.R. 327, the Committee could have explored what actions the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has 

taken or is planning in the area of suicide prevention. We could 

also have had the benefit of VA recommendations for improvements 

or technical corrections to the legislation, and would have had Congressional Budget Office cost analysis for the bill prior to markup. 

VA has provided at my request information about the plans of 

the Veterans Health Administration to reduce the incidence of suicide among our veterans. According to this information, VHA has 

already formulated a comprehensive strategy for suicide prevention 

focusing on the needs of both new veterans from Operation Iraqi 

Freedom/Operation Enduring Freedom (OIF/OEF) and those from 

prior conflicts. The specific program for suicide prevention is based 

on public health and clinical models, and activities both within VA 

facilities and the medical community. 

• Structural elements of the program are to include: 

Æ Designation of March 1, 2007 as the first annual VA National Suicide Prevention Awareness Day with educational activities for all staff, clinical and non-clinical 

Æ Designation of two Centers of Excellence focused on suicide 

prevention that will provide technical assistance to the system 

as a whole 

Æ Designation of the Serious Mental Illness Treatment Research and Evaluation Center (SMITREC) to maintain data on 

suicide rates and risk factors, nationally, regionally, and locally, to guide prevention strategies 

Æ Funding for Suicide Prevention Coordinators within each 

VA medical center as of April 1, 2007 

Æ Creation of a suicide prevention hotline for veterans by the 

end of this calendar year • Public health oriented components of the program, to be accelerated during the coming year, include: 

Æ Ongoing messages and education for the community about 

the availability of services and the effectiveness of treatment 

Æ Continued outreach to returning veterans to support awareness of VA resources and identification of mental health concerns 

Æ Increasing training for those who are in contact with veterans about the recognition of signs and risk factors for suicide, and process for helping veterans engage in treatment 

Æ Strengthening collaborations with other local, regional, and 

national suicide prevention activities 


bajohnson on PROD1PC77 with REPORTS
12 

• Clinical components of the program are to include: 

Æ Education and training for all VA staff about signs and risk 

factors of suicide, and of opportunities to help veterans in need 

engage in treatment 

Æ Programs organized and directed by the Suicide Prevention 

Coordinators to identify veterans at high risk for suicide and 

to ensure that the intensity of their clinical monitoring and 

care are enhanced 

Æ Training for all mental health providers on evidence-based 

interventions shown to prevent suicide 

Clearly, VA is addressing suicide prevention. I expect that the 

Committee will be fully engaged in the oversight of VA’s suicide 

planning and implementation of those plans. H.R. 327 complements VA’s approach to suicide prevention, and I support the 

bill. 

STEVE BUYER. 


bajohnson on PROD1PC77 with REPORTS
13 


bajohnson on PROD1PC77 with REPORTSInsert graphic folio 18 here HR55.001