VA Invests in Community Programs to Tackle Veteran Suicide

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is allocating nearly $112 million to community organizations nationwide to address the high suicide rate among veterans, particularly those not connected to VA health care services. The announcement on September 29 detailed that $111.9 million in grants will be distributed through the Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program. Funding will become available starting fiscal year 2027. Nonprofits, local governments, federally recognized tribes, and other community-based groups are eligible to receive support for services benefiting veterans.

VA Secretary Doug Collins emphasized the importance of community organizations in reaching veterans who may not engage with VA care. He states, “VA’s Fox grant program often serves as a bridge between vital federal resources and vulnerable Veterans in need of help.”

Community organizations are critical to reaching Veterans who may not otherwise connect with VA care.”

The announcement coincides with ongoing concerns over suicide trends among former service members. According to the latest National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report, 6,398 veterans died by suicide in 2023, a slight decrease from 2022. However, suicide rates for both male and female veterans increased, highlighting the persistent severity of the issue. Male veteran suicide rates rose from 37.3 to 37.8 per 100,000, while female rates increased from 13.7 to 13.9 per 100,000.

Younger veterans aged 18 to 34, homeless individuals, and those with chronic health conditions or pain face higher suicide risks. Significantly, 61 percent of veterans who died by suicide in 2023 were not receiving VA-supported health care in the year prior, indicating the need for expanded outreach beyond VA facilities.

Purpose of the Fund Allocation

Established to enhance suicide prevention initiatives outside of clinical settings, the Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program targets underlying factors such as social isolation, financial difficulties, and insufficient access to care. Recipients provide essential services, including suicide-risk outreach, mental health screening, peer support, case management, emergency treatment referrals, and assistance with VA and government benefits.

In 2025, approximately 17,000 veterans, service members, and family members utilized services offered by Fox grantees, marking a 31 percent increase from the previous year. Grantees also facilitated connections for 2,647 veterans not previously utilizing VA services to health care and support resources.

States Receiving Significant Funding

The 2027 awards list indicates California and Texas as top recipients, receiving around $10 million and $7 million, respectively, across several organizations. Florida follows with over $6 million, and New York is allocated around $4.3 million. Since 2022, the program has distributed over $322 million to 218 organizations across 49 states, territories, and Tribal lands.

Comprehensive Prevention Strategy

Besides the grant program, the VA’s suicide prevention strategy includes handling more than 1.3 million interactions via the Veterans Crisis Line and conducting over 5.3 million suicide-risk screenings in 2025. Community-based grants are vital for assisting veterans who need help but may not visit a VA clinic.