Edgar J. Villarreal, PhD, is presented with this Presidential Citation for his service to the profession of psychology, and his leadership in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to advance suicide prevention initiatives, and promote a strong culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).
Villarreal earned his doctoral degree in counseling psychology at Texas A&M University in 2012, and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the Warrior Resiliency Program, Brooke Army Medical Center (BAMC), Department of the Army, Behavioral Readiness Division, San Antonio. Since then, he has served in multiple complex leadership roles within the VA.
Villarreal has served as the national clinical director of suicide prevention at the VA central office since October 2022. In this role, he leads and provides oversight to hundreds of Veterans Health Administration staff working on suicide prevention initiatives throughout the VA system. Within the VA he is responsible for the development, and implementation of national suicide prevention policies, procedures, and monitoring of metrics that drive process improvements related to suicide prevention. Villarreal serves as a national subject matter expert on suicide prevention research and dissemination. In addition to his multiple leadership roles within the VA, Villarreal is also active in DEI efforts and serves on the DEI Steering Committee for the Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention within the VA central office.
Throughout his career, his mission-driven approach to veteran care continues to serve as an example for others. As the current chair of APA Division 18 (Psychologists in Public Service) VA Section, Villarreal has promoted the importance of advocating to advance veterans’ mental health care.
For his dedication to public service and work on behalf of the VA psychology, this Presidential Citation is awarded to Edgar J. Villarreal, PhD.