Not Just a Number Act

The Not Just a Number Act (H.R. 4157) would require the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to expand its annual reporting on veteran suicide to include a more comprehensive look at how various benefits affect mental health outcomes. Instead of only tracking clinical interactions, the VA would be required to analyze how the use of non-medical benefits—such as disability compensation, education assistance, and housing programs—correlates with suicide prevention.

For veterans and their families, this bill aims to identify which specific programs are most effective at saving lives, potentially leading to the expansion of those services. By shifting to a more holistic data-driven approach, the legislation seeks to ensure that federal resources are directed toward the support systems that provide the greatest protection for veterans in crisis.