U.S. Senators Tina Smith, Marsha Blackburn Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Prevent Veteran and Military Suicide by Victims of Military Sexual Trauma

Two million American servicemembers reported experiencing Military Sexual Trauma, increasing the risk of suicide

WASHINGTON, D.C. - [6/29/2026] U.S. Senators Tina Smith (D-MN) and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) introduced the Improving Personal Risk Assessments to Prevent Suicide Act, a bill to help better understand the relationship between servicemembers and veterans' experiences of military sexual trauma (MST) and suicide risk. The bill would require the Department of Defense (DoD) and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to publish a study on the links between MST, intimate partner violence and the risk of suicide.

The bill would also require the Departments to incorporate those findings into clinical assessments for identifying and treating patients at risk of suicide - the first time military sexual trauma has been included in those official clinical tools. This will improve clinical risk assessment for patients and help the DoD, VA and clinicians recognize MST-related risk factors before someone attempts or dies by suicide.

MST refers to the sexual assault or threatening sexual harassment servicemembers may experience during service. Many servicemembers choose not to report MST until after their service because they fear retaliation or threats from their superiors. Veterans are around 50% more likely to die by suicide than civilians, and the link between servicemembers who experienced MST and higher risk of suicide is well-established, making this bill essential to overall veteran suicide prevention efforts.

"It is our solemn duty to provide the highest quality care for those who serve our country," said Sen. Smith. "That includes making sure servicemembers who endured military sexual trauma have access to the best clinical care and suicide prevention tools available as they work to heal. I'm proud to introduce this bill to incorporate what we know about the relationship between experiencing military sexual trauma and the risk of suicide into clinical practice, improving the care that helps save lives."

"It is absolutely unacceptable that veterans are 50% more likely to die by suicide, and we must do everything in our power to protect and care for those who have risked their lives for this country," said Sen. Blackburn. "The Improving Personal Risk Assessments to Prevent Suicide Act is an important step in saving servicemembers' lives and supporting them as they heal from unimaginable trauma."

Full text of the bill can be found here.

If you or someone you know is considering suicide, there is help. Please call or text 988 or visit the 988 Lifeline website for help. You are not alone.

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