Suicide Prevention Research Actively Managed Portfolio

Overview

The VA Office of Research and Development (ORD) has transformed from an organization structured around research methods to one that is based on diseases and health issues that are important to  Veterans’ health and well-being. The Actively Managed Portfolio model (AMP) will be used to oversee priority areas of research that are of particular importance to Veterans’ health. Suicide prevention is a priority for the Department of Veterans Affairs as suicide is a significant health issue for Veterans. Therefore, suicide projects will be managed  in the Suicide Prevention Actively Managed Portfolio (SP-AMP).  

Scope

The Suicide Prevention AMP will manage research that seeks to improve our understanding of suicide and prevent or address suicidal behavior. This portfolio will oversee preclinical, translational, clinical, health services, and implementation studies. A full description of the SP-AMP’s purview can be found on the intranet at https://vaww.research.va.gov/funding/docs/funding/rfa.cfm#hsrd (VA network access only) under the “Studies on Suicide Prevention” NOSI.

Program Managers

Joseph Constans, PhD, is the Senior Program Manager for Suicide Prevention Research. He has worked for VA for 31 years, starting as a staff psychologist and mental health investigator. Before moving to ORD, Joseph served as the Associate Chief of Staff for Research and Development at Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System in New Orleans. He may be reached at Joseph.Constans@va.gov.

Peter Hunt, PhD, is the Scientific Program Manager for RRD4 (Behavioral Health & Social Reintegration). The RRD4 SRG reviews research that seeks to develop or improve suicide prevention interventions aimed at improving participation in society. He may be reached at Peter.Hunt@va.gov.

TBD, the Scientific Program Manager for Health Systems Research, Mental and Behavioral Health (HSR4). HSR4 reviews research using health systems methods and outcomes related suicide prevention.

TBD, the Scientific Program Manager for Brain Behavioral and Mental Health, Mental Health and Behavioral Sciences–Clinical (MHBC). MHBC reviews clinical studies that seek to improve understanding of suicide or advance suicide prevention.

Research Priorities

The Suicide Prevention AMP was tasked with establishing a research agenda and prioritizing domains that could rapidly translate into prevention strategies and improved treatment and care for Veterans who experience suicidal thoughts and behaviors. An Executive Steering Committee comprised of representatives from  VA clinical partners, other VHA partners in suicide prevention, field investigators, and other funding agencies led the strategic planning and prioritization process. For FY 2025, the Executive Steering committee selected “Lethal Means Safety Approaches to Suicide Prevention” as the lead suicide prevention research priority for FY 2025. The importance of developing effective lethal means safety intervention is highlighted in the 2024 VA/DoD Suicide Prevention Clinical Practice Guidelines that note Veterans are more likely to use firearms as a method of suicide than the general population. Research has shown that ready access to a firearm confers additional suicide risk and that reducing access to firearms can decrease suicide. However, there is limited evidence on the best approaches to promote firearm safety in Veterans. Prioritization of this research will ultimately lead to evidence-based interventions to reduce suicide in the Veteran population.

Full description of this priority area and related funding opportunities related can be found on the intranet at: https://vaww.research.va.gov/funding/docs/amp/NOT-RD-01-SPR-Suicide-Prevention-AMP.pdf (VA network access only).

VA Suicide Prevention Research Community

The Suicide Prevention Research Impact NeTwork (SPRINT) is an ORD-supported research consortium that serves as a suicide prevention information hub for investigators, clinicians, administrators, and Veterans. SPRINT resources include a list of VA-funded suicide prevention research awards, links to a suicide prevention clinical trials database, suicide prevention implementation recommendations, risk management resources, cyberseminars, and a monthly newsletter describing VA’s suicide prevention efforts.

SPRINT also provides periodic planning awards for emerging areas of interest, annual opportunities for training, and access to data collected through the Study to Assess Risk and Resilience in Servicemembers—Longitudinal Study (STARRS-LS), the largest study of mental health risk and resilience in U.S. Army service members. If you are interested in connecting with SPRINT and becoming part of VA’s Suicide Prevention research community, register here.