A large number of veterans grapple with mental health issues after returning from deployment, and for many, the effects of these issues can be severe. Recent reports have revealed that veterans have been found to have a higher risk of suicide than the general public, leading to a call for improved mental health resources.
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has now announced a new initiative to try and tackle the issue of veteran suicide. Under the new policy, any veteran that has been identified as having suicidal thoughts or behavior will be eligible for free emergency mental health care at a VA or non-VA facility. This includes up to 30 days of inpatient care and 90 days of outpatient care.
These benefits are available to veterans regardless of whether they are enrolled with VA Healthcare.
The VA’s new policy aims to address the concerning trend of veteran suicide rates by providing free mental health resources to veterans in need.
The VA’s new policy is a major step forward in helping to provide critical support for our veterans. By offering free emergency mental health care, veterans in a suicidal crisis can gain access to the professional care and resources they need to help manage their mental health issues and hopefully find relief from the daily struggles they may face.
It’s important to recognize that the VA’s new policy is just one piece of the puzzle when it comes to preventing veteran suicide. It’s also critical that we continue to provide access to more mental health resources, including reaching out to our veteran community to better understand their needs and seek out support. Ultimately, preventing veteran suicide will require a joint effort from both public and private sectors.
Veterans who are currently struggling can be connected to specialized help by calling the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988 and then pressing 1.