VA Expands Access to Mental Healthcare to National Guard Members
The partnership will allow National Guard members better patient access to mental healthcare and prevention and education materials.
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United States (EANGUS) have partnered to expand patient access to mental healthcare and suicide prevention education materials, according to an agency press release.
The partnership will allow members of the National Guard to access educational materials from the VA about suicide prevention, mental health, and substance use and misuse, the organizations said. This is essential for members of the National Guard who do not qualify for VA benefits, according to retired US Army Sergeant Major Frank Yoakum, EANGUS executive director.
“This collaboration will provide access to VA-developed education resources for current and former National Guard members who otherwise do not qualify for VA services, especially when it comes to mental wellness, substance use struggles and necessary emotional support,” Yoakum said in a statement.
The partnership has also made it easier for VA to identify and connect with veterans who have not already enrolled in the VA health benefits.
This move comes as a key part of the VA’s efforts to prevent veteran suicide, according to VA Secretary Robert Wilkie.
“VA engaging members of the National Guard is a priority set in the National Strategy for Preventing Veteran Suicide,” Wilkie explained. “This partnership enhances the access to these resources for current service members and Veterans already connected with VA.”
The partnership will specifically expand access to VA suicide prevention and patient education materials to approximately 414,000 EANGUS members in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Virgin Islands. VA and EANGUS leaders are also in talks of expanding educational materials onto college campuses.
This partnership comes as the VA grapples with the high veteran suicide rates that have made national headlines in recent months. This past spring, three veterans took their own lives at three different VA medical centers within a five-day span, according to CBS News.
After two veterans took their own lives outside of separate VA facilities in Georgia, a third unidentified veteran shot himself outside of a VA facility in Texas. Reports indicate the veteran shot himself after finding out he could not receive the help he needed.
These incidents suggest a need for better emergency mental healthcare at the VA, in addition to its existing offerings, said Mark Takano, chairman of the House Committee on Veterans Affairs.
“Every new instance of veteran suicide showcases a barrier to access, but with three incidents on VA property in just five days, and six this year alone, it’s critical we do more to stop this epidemic,” Takano said in a statement. “All Americans have a role to play in reducing veteran suicide, and the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs is going to make this issue a top priority.”
In response, the VA has worked to fortify its suicide prevention and mental healthcare access efforts. In April, the agency reviewed its mental healthcare access, outlining the 24/7 access to mental health intervention veterans in crisis may access.
“Providing same-day 24/7 access to mental health crisis intervention and support for Veterans, service members and their families is our top clinical priority,” VA Secretary Robert Wilkie said in a statement. “It’s important that all Veterans, their family and friends know that help is easily available.”
In fiscal year 2018, the VA treated 1.7 million patients for mental health symptoms. Treatment included psychiatric hospital stays, residential stays, and about 21 million outpatient sessions.
In the first quarter of this year, 90 percent of new patients have received mental healthcare within 30 days of requesting an appointment. Nearly 97 percent of established patients received the same benefit.
By Sara Heath | Published by Patient Engagement Hit | Read the article