The U.S. government has officially endorsed the use of artificial intelligence (AI) as a means to combat the rising number of veteran suicides. Recent funding bills for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) budget for fiscal year 2026 include provisions for the agency to explore innovative tools, particularly AI, to identify veterans exhibiting high levels of suicidal ideation.
This funding package, which designates more than $115 billion for veteran healthcare, was signed into law by President Trump on November 12, 2023. Among the allocated funds, approximately $698 million is specifically earmarked for the VA’s suicide prevention initiatives. The bills received final approval from Congress last week, ending a prolonged government shutdown.
Harnessing Technology to Save Lives
The House Appropriations Committee recently expressed its support for the VA’s existing suicide prevention programs while advocating for the incorporation of modern technology to enhance these efforts. The committee’s report stated, “There is a significant need to improve early suicide indicators and detection using artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies that improve operational efficiency and effectiveness throughout veteran service delivery.”
The committee emphasized the potential of real-time statistics to assist veterans in accessing essential mental health care. They encouraged the VA to evaluate the use of omnichannel technologies for better identification of at-risk veterans, suggesting that the department could utilize various government service delivery channels equipped with real-time analytics to gain insights into veterans’ needs.
In addition to these recommendations, lawmakers are urging the VA to continue its exploration of predictive analytics for suicide prevention. The Senate panel has shown particular interest in the Recovery Engagement and Coordination for Health-Veteran Enhancement Treatment (REACH VET) program, which utilizes machine learning to analyze veterans’ medical records and identify those at the highest risk of suicide.
AI as an Enhancement, Not a Replacement
Since its launch in 2017, REACH VET has refined its capabilities to flag additional risk factors, including military sexual assault. The VA has made changes to exclude ethnicity and race from its algorithms to focus on more relevant indicators. This program is part of a broader strategy to collaborate with various agencies and nonprofit organizations, encouraging them to adopt AI and other advanced technologies in their efforts to reduce veteran suicides.
While some veterans have expressed concerns about potential replacements of human interaction with AI, VA Press Secretary Pete Kasperowicz clarified that AI will be used as a supplement to, rather than a replacement for, human care. Tools driven by AI can assist mental health providers in intervening swiftly on behalf of veterans, reinforcing the importance of direct human contact in crisis situations.
The Senate’s report indicates awareness of additional predictive data analytics tools that could preemptively assist at-risk veterans. The committee encourages the VA to expand the use of these technologies within the system to improve identification and treatment of veterans experiencing suicidal thoughts.
Despite concerns regarding the reduction of the federal workforce and its impact on mental health services, the VA remains committed to maximizing all available resources. Kasperowicz stated, “The VA plans to maximize all resources, including the use of AI for suicide prevention, to enhance predictive models, increase collaboration with researchers, and develop new tools to support care providers in delivering personalized care to veterans.”
As the VA moves forward with these initiatives, the potential for AI to play a critical role in improving mental health outcomes for veterans appears promising, provided it is implemented thoughtfully and in conjunction with human support.
