Mandatory Suicide Prevention Training for VA Staff and Caregivers to Protect Veterans.
This Act mandates the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to annually update and provide a Lethal Means Safety and Suicide Prevention training course. This training becomes mandatory for VA employees, non-VA community care providers, and family caregivers receiving support, ensuring that those regularly interacting with veterans are equipped with best practices to prevent suicide crises. The goal is to enhance veteran safety and improve the quality of care by standardizing crisis prevention knowledge across all relevant personnel. The training materials will also be made publicly available online.
Key points
Mandatory Training: VA employees, community care providers, and family caregivers of veterans must complete annual training on lethal means safety and suicide prevention.
Annual Updates: The training must be updated at least once a year, incorporating the latest best practices, in consultation with experts, including mental health specialists and federal firearms license dealers.
Public Access: The training course materials will be made publicly available on the VA website, increasing access to vital safety knowledge for the general public.
Condition of Support: Family caregivers receiving support from the VA must complete this training as a condition of continuing to receive that assistance.
Expired
Citizen Poll