Executive Order 13861: National Roadmap to Empower Veterans and End Suicide
President: Donald J. Trump
Created a veterans' suicide-prevention task force to prepare a national roadmap and coordinate federal, state and community prevention work. It called for a plan, not a proven reduction in suicides.
Status: Completed/expired. Is Executive Order 13861 still in effect? No. Its temporary task force mandate has ended. Section 9 required the PREVENTS task force to terminate two years after submission of its roadmap to the President. VA records the roadmap’s release on June 17, 2020, so that two-year mandate had ended by June 2022. This sunset does not mean the roadmap recommendations or VA’s broader suicide-prevention work were revoked. See Executive Order 13861, section 9 (opens in a new tab); VA PREVENTS roadmap (opens in a new tab).
What does Executive Order 13861 do?
EO 13861 required VA and other agencies to develop a national roadmap addressing veteran suicide, improve data sharing and coordinate prevention, treatment and community partnerships.
Later evidence reviewed September 24, 2026: VA released the PREVENTS Roadmap developed under the order. The roadmap documents recommendations and coordination; it is not proof that veteran suicide rates changed because of it. VA PREVENTS roadmap.
Before and after
Before the order
VA and partner agencies already operated veteran-suicide prevention programs.
After the order
VA released the PREVENTS Roadmap developed under the order. The roadmap documents recommendations and coordination; it is not proof that veteran suicide rates changed because of it.
Who had to do what
| Agency / official | What the signed order directed | Deadline / timing |
|---|---|---|
| Veterans Suicide Task Force | Develop the national roadmap, a legislative proposal for community grants and a coordinated research strategy; consult stakeholders and monitor implementation. | Roadmap, proposal and strategy within 365 days of March 5, 2019; Task Force ends two years after roadmap submission. |
| Secretary of Veterans Affairs | Co-chair the Task Force; provide funding and administrative support; consult the Domestic Policy Assistant in designating its Executive Director. | No separate deadline specified. |
| Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy | Co-chair the Task Force and consult on designation of its Executive Director. | No separate deadline specified. |
| OSTP Director | Coordinate with the Task Force on the national veteran-suicide research strategy. | Strategy within 365 days. |
| Task Force Executive Director | Coordinate the Task Force’s day-to-day functions. | No separate deadline specified. |
Source: Signed Federal Register text.
What happened next
EO 13861 signed; its Federal Register publication followed.
VA released the PREVENTS Roadmap developed under the order. The roadmap documents recommendations and coordination; it is not proof that veteran suicide rates changed because of it.
Legal and source detail
How it works legally
The Federal Register record identifies EO 13861, its title and signing date. VA released the PREVENTS Roadmap developed under the order. The roadmap documents recommendations and coordination; it is not proof that veteran suicide rates changed because of it. The linked source supports this particular later event; it does not establish every present legal or operational effect.
Sources by type
If a source is unavailable, first check the cited publisher or another official repository. The cited publisher remains the authority.
Primary and official sources
Orders, laws, court records and official implementation material.
- VA PREVENTS roadmap (opens in a new tab) Official record
How we checked this
Last checked against the sources above on September 24, 2026. How we research →