Veterans' mental health issues focus of VA summit

Aug. 12--No veteran should ever feel alone.

A 2016 study by the Department of Veterans Affairs shows an estimated 20 veterans a day nationwide commit suicide. Reducing that number and ensuring veterans find the help they need is important.

That was a key message Thursday at the fourth annual Veterans Administration Mental Health Summit at the Kerrville VA Medical Center Auditorium by the South Texas Veterans Health Care System.

The summit offered community stakeholders an opportunity to learn about and enhance veterans' access to all aspects of mental health care.

Larry Stokes, a registered nurse and a veterans benefits consultant registered with the Department of Veterans Affairs, said there are resources available to help veterans in a crisis and said the need to raise awareness of those resources is vital.

"Suicide rates among veterans are higher than in the general population," Stokes said.

One major resource, Stokes said, is the Veteran's Crisis Line, a suicide prevention hotline with chat and text options. The line, at 1-800-273-8255, or via text message to 838255, is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to veterans and their families and is completely confidential.

"The crisis line is doing great work," Stokes said.

He said up to 40 percent of the responders at the crisis hotline are veterans themselves, which is helpful, as veterans often like to talk to others who can relate to their experiences.

He said even for those veterans not eligible for VA care -- those not discharged honorably or generally, or those receiving their health care through private providers -- there is opportunity to connect with VA resource in a crisis.

Through sites such as www.mentalhealth.va.gov, veterans can find access to sources of help. Veterans needing immediate help can get same-day care, as well, and law enforcement agencies have been briefed on post-traumatic stress disorder and crisis intervention teams have been trained on issues surrounding veterans and their care.

"What we're trying to do is work with community partners to get the word out" about this and other services, Stokes said. "It's important to reach out. If they're getting care elsewhere they can still get emergency care through the VA."

Nicole Braida, associate chief of staff for mental health at the South Texas Veterans Health Care System, said the VA hospital has a "very aggressive" suicide prevention team that will work with eligible veterans and will see non-eligible veterans on a humanitarian basis.

"We will see the veteran, get them triage and get them through the situation and then, if they're not eligible, they'll have to go to the community for further care," Braida said.

She said she and Stokes and other staff have been known to "bird-dog" veterans to ensure they're getting the help they need and going to appointments.

"If we find they are at risk, we'll be all over them to get them the help they need," she said.

For those not eligible for VA care or for those seeking health care outside of the VA system, a number of resource are available, according to Dr. Denise Herbst, program manager for the Kerrville VA Medical Center's mental health program.

The programs, such as the Give an Hour program -- which includes 7,000 providers in all 50 states, Guam and Puerto Rico -- offers veterans and their families one hour of a volunteer's time once a week to talk.

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