Political Quotes

“in 2013, the VA estimated that about 1.5 million veterans required mental health services, which VA provides in a variety of settings. In addition to the traditional VA medical centers, veterans may access mental health services and support through Vet Centers--which often appeal to veterans because of their welcoming, home-like environment; Community Based Outpatient Clinics, which play an important role in telehealth delivery by connecting rural veterans to psychiatry services from the medical center home-base, a Veterans Crisis Line, VA staff on college and university campuses, and other outreach efforts. Another important means of delivering mental health services has been the inclusion of mental health professionals within primary care delivery through VA's Patient Aligned Care Teams, which improves the screening process and allows providers to recognize and treat mental health issues occurring among those veterans who present in their primary care locations. In addition to providing ongoing care to veterans with mental health needs, VA plays a role in suicide risk assessment and prevention among veterans. According to VA, about one-quarter of the 18 to 22 veterans who die by suicide each day were receiving care through VA. Suicide rates are even higher among those veterans who do not use VA for the health care services.…”