U.S. Lawmakers Urge VA to Leverage AI in Veteran Suicide Prevention

The U.S. government is taking significant steps to address veteran suicide by advocating for the use of artificial intelligence (AI) within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Recent funding bills for the VA’s fiscal year 2026 budget, which amount to more than $115 billion, specifically call for the integration of AI to identify veterans at high risk of suicide. The funding package received final approval from Congress only last week after overcoming delays caused by a government shutdown.

President Trump signed the FY26 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs bill into law on November 12, 2023. This legislation allocates approximately $698 million for the VA’s suicide prevention programs, highlighting a commitment to explore innovative strategies for addressing this critical issue.

The House Appropriations Committee recently released a report emphasizing the need for enhanced early detection of suicidal thoughts among veterans. The report asserts that while existing programs show effectiveness, there is a pressing requirement to incorporate modern technologies like AI and machine learning. These tools are viewed as essential for improving operational efficiency in veteran service delivery.

“There is a significant need to improve early suicide indicators and detection using artificial intelligence,” the report states. By leveraging real-time data analytics, the VA aims to better identify at-risk veterans and ensure they receive timely mental health care. The committee further encourages the Department to evaluate omnichannel technologies, which may enhance the identification of veterans in crisis.

AI’s role in suicide prevention is not entirely new for the VA. The department has been using the Recovery Engagement and Coordination for Health-Veteran Enhancement Treatment (REACH VET) program since 2017. This machine learning initiative scans veterans’ medical records to flag those in the top 0.1 percent for suicide risk. Recent updates to REACH VET have introduced the ability to identify additional risk factors, such as experiences of military sexual assault and domestic abuse, while removing race and ethnicity as data points.

The Senate panel has also expressed interest in expanding the use of AI within VA programs. The report mentions the potential for predictive data analytics and machine learning to proactively identify veterans facing mental health crises. It encourages the VA to adopt these technologies more broadly, enhancing the delivery of treatment to those in need.

While the integration of AI in healthcare raises concerns about replacing human interactions, VA officials stress that technology will serve as a supplement, not a replacement, for human care. VA Press Secretary Pete Kasperowicz recently stated, “AI-driven tools allow mental health providers to quickly intervene on a veteran’s behalf.” This approach aims to enhance the capabilities of the Veteran Crisis Line and support mental health providers in delivering personalized care.

Despite apprehensions regarding the role of AI in mental health services, VA officials believe that as technology evolves, it can offer valuable insights for researchers and clinicians. Kasperowicz emphasized the VA’s commitment to maximizing all resources, including AI, to improve suicide prevention efforts.

As the VA moves forward with these initiatives, the hope is that advanced technologies will complement existing services and ultimately lead to a significant reduction in veteran suicides. The combination of legislative support and innovative technological solutions marks a crucial step in addressing the urgent mental health needs of veterans across the United States.