38 CFR 78.10 – Eligible individuals
(a) To be an eligible individual under this part, a person must be at risk of suicide and further meet the definition of eligible individual in section 201(q) of Public Law 116-171.
Terms Used In 38 CFR 78.10
- Public law: A public bill or joint resolution that has passed both chambers and been enacted into law. Public laws have general applicability nationwide.
(b) For purposes of paragraph (a) of this section, risk of suicide means exposure to, or the existence of, any of the following factors, to any degree, that increase the risk for suicidal ideation and/or behaviors:
(1) Health risk factors, including mental health challenges, substance use disorder, serious or chronic health conditions or pain, and traumatic brain injury.
(2) Environmental risk factors, including prolonged stress, stressful life events, unemployment, homelessness, recent loss, and legal or financial challenges.
(3) Historical risk factors, including previous suicide attempts, family history of suicide, and history of abuse, neglect, or trauma, including military sexual trauma.
Grantees must use these risk factors and the impact thereof to determine the degree of risk of suicide for eligible individuals using a screening tool approved by the Department. The degree of risk depends on the presence of one or more suicide risk factors and the impact of those factors on an individual’s mental health and wellbeing.