(2) In recent years, the Department of Vet-
erans Affairs made the prevention of veteran suicide 
among the highest priorities of the Department and 
has developed data models to continually improve 
and tailor suicide prevention strategies and initia-
tives. 
(3) Among the recent suicide prevention initia-
tives are— 
(A) an expanded Veterans Crisis Line to 
three call centers; 
(B) launching the S.A.V.E. suicide preven-
tion training video; 
(C) implementing the Mayor’s Challenge, 
which engages local elected officials in veteran 
suicide prevention; and 
(D) partnering with the Department of 
Defense and the Department of Homeland Se-
curity to support veterans during their transi-
tion from military to civilian life. 
(b) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Con-
gress that the Department of Veterans Affairs should— 
(1) remain focused on screening transitioning 
members of the Armed Forces for factors associated 
with suicide and providing treatment and other serv-
ices needed to reduce suicides; 
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(2) undertake suicide prevention through a 
multi-pronged strategy that addresses the many fac-
tors that are known to contribute to suicide; 
(3) continue to regard suicide prevention as one 
of the highest priorities of the Department; and 
(4) provide guidance to other agencies and vet-
eran service organizations on the factors that are as-
sociated with suicide. 
SEC. 2. DESIGNATION OF BATTLE BUDDY CHECK WEEK BY 
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
shall designate one week per year to organize outreach 
events and educate veterans on how to conduct peer 
wellness checks, which shall be known as ‘‘Battle Buddy 
Check Week’’. 
(b) EVENTS AND EDUCATION.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—During Battle Buddy Check 
Week, the Secretary, in consultation with organiza-
tions that represent veterans, non-profits that serve 
veterans, mental health experts, members of the 
Armed Forces, and such other entities and individ-
uals as the Secretary considers appropriate, shall 
collaborate with organizations that represent vet-
erans to provide educational opportunities for vet-
erans to learn how to conduct peer wellness checks. 
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(2) TRAINING MATTERS.—As part of the edu-
cational opportunities provided under paragraph (1), 
the Secretary shall provide the following: 
(A) A script for veterans to use to conduct 
peer wellness checks that includes information 
on appropriate referrals to resources veterans 
might need. 
(B) Online and in-person training, as ap-
propriate, on how to conduct a peer wellness 
check. 
(C) Opportunities for members of organi-
zations that represent veterans to learn how to 
train individuals to conduct peer wellness 
checks. 
(D) Training for veterans participating in 
Battle Buddy Check Week on how to transfer 
a phone call directly to the Veterans Crisis 
Line. 
(E) Resiliency training for veterans partici-
pating in Battle Buddy Check Week on han-
dling a veteran in crisis. 
(3) ONLINE MATERIALS.—All training materials 
provided under the educational opportunities under 
paragraph (1) shall be made available on a website 
of the Department. 
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(c) OUTREACH.—The Secretary, in collaboration with 
organizations that represent veterans, may conduct out-
reach regarding educational opportunities under sub-
section (b) at— 
(1) public events where many veterans are ex-
pected to congregate; 
(2) meetings of organizations that represent 
veterans; 
(3) facilities of the Department of Veterans Af-
fairs; and 
(4) such other locations as the Secretary, in col-
laboration with organizations that represent vet-
erans, considers appropriate. 
(d) VETERANS CRISIS LINE PLAN.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall ensure 
that the Veterans Crisis Line has a plan for han-
dling the potential increase of calls that may occur 
during Battle Buddy Check Week. 
(2) SUBMITTAL
OF
PLAN.—The head of the 
Veterans Crisis Line shall submit to the Secretary a 
plan for how to handle excess calls during Battle 
Buddy Check Week, which may include the fol-
lowing: 
(A) Additional hours for staff. 
(B) The use of a backup call center. 
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(C) Any other plan to ensure that calls 
from veterans in crisis are being answered in a 
timely manner by an individual trained at the 
same level as a Veterans Crisis Line responder. 
(e) VETERANS CRISIS LINE DEFINED.—In this sec-
tion, the term ‘‘Veterans Crisis Line’’ means the toll-free 
hotline for veterans established under section 1720F(h) of 
title 38, United States Code. 
Æ 
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