Report recommends ways to close VA mental health services gap

Jan 31, 2018 - 04:19 PM

While the Department of Veterans Affairs provides mental health care of comparable or superior quality to care provided in private and non-VA public sectors, accessibility and quality of services vary across the VA health system, leaving a substantial unmet need for mental health services among veterans of the recent wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, according to a new congressionally-mandated report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. The report recommends VA develop a strategic plan to enhance and facilitate timely access to patient-centered care, hire and retain diverse skilled staff, expand the use of virtual care technologies, and overcome facility and infrastructure barriers to access. It also includes recommendations for forging community partnerships, addressing workforce shortages, and developing and implementing standardized measures to assess and improve care for veterans with mental health conditions.

Related News Articles

Headline
Infographic spotlights mental health challenges faced by minority populations and offers solutions 
AHA’s Behavioral Health Team, in collaboration with AHA’s Institute for Diversity and Health Equity, Sept. 16 released an infographic highlighting minority…
Headline
Agencies release final rule requiring mental health coverage parity
The departments of Labor, Health and Human Services and the Treasury Sept. 9 released a final rule ensuring commercial health plans comply with the Mental…
Headline
Surgeon General issues advisory on mental health and well-being of parents 
U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, M.D., Aug. 28 released an advisory on the mental health and well-being of parents. The advisory highlights stressors that…
Headline
AHA Podcast: Mobile Crisis Centers: A Solution to Behavioral Health Access
Two clinicians and a vehicle — that's the model Sheppard Pratt has been using to give behavioral health access to its communities. In this conversation, Jason…
Headline
AHA blog: Reducing Barriers to Behavioral Health and Substance Use Disorder Treatment 
Mary Thompson — a member of AHA’s Committee on Behavioral Health and president of Trillium Place, a mental health and addiction recovery organization…
Blog
Integration of Care: Reducing Barriers to Behavioral Health and Substance Use Disorder Treatment
More than 16 years ago, the U.S. House of Representatives designated July as National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month. Inspired by the work of author…