VA Plan Would Provide Every Service Member with Mental Health Benefits
Join us and tell your reps how you feel!
What’s the story?
Secretary of Veterans Affairs David Shulkin said he will send President Donald Trump a proposal that would provide every service member with mental health benefits when they leave the military.
"Suicide prevention is the top clinical priority," said Shulkin. “We’ve expanded our veterans crisis line, we are expanding the number of mental health professionals.”
What does it matter?
- The plan comes in response to President Trump’s executive order, signed in January, which instructed the Depts. of Defense, Veterans Affairs, and Homeland Security to collaborate to improve mental healthcare and access to suicide prevention services for veterans.
What else is the VA doing for those struggling with mental health issues?
The VA has announced a partnership with the nonprofit AMVETS to create a mental health initiative called HEAL: health care, evaluation, advocacy, and legislation.
Stars and Stripes explained: "A six-person team of licensed registered nurses, called the HEAL team, will travel across the country to try to intervene with veterans who haven’t sought treatment through the Department of Veterans Affairs but need it." The HEAL team will also “take calls and emails from veterans facing barriers to VA mental health care.”
Carolyn Clancy, the executive in charge of the VA health care system, told the military news source:
"I can’t overemphasize how important it is to have this kind of assistance on the frontlines connecting veterans to our services. Having another veteran from another organization you can trust saying, ‘It’s OK, this is actually a good thing to go do,’ means far, far more than what anyone from the VA could necessarily share. It’s a different source of credibility."
- Veterans and their family members can begin using the HEAL program on March 19th by calling: 1-833-VET-HEAL
What do you think?
Should Trump sign the VA proposal? Are we doing enough for our veterans? Hit Take Action and tell your reps, then share your thoughts below.
—Josh Herman
Related Reading
(Photo Credit: KatarzynaBialasiewicz / iStock)
The Latest
-
🌎 Are You Ready To Take Action Against Climate Change?Scientists claim that last year "smashed" the record for the hottest year by a large margin , offering a "dramatic testimony" of read more... Environment
-
Should U.S. Implement a New Tax on AI to Fund Worker Benefits?The debate As technology advances, artificial intelligence (AI) becomes more integrated into our society. While leaders in AI read more... Artificial Intelligence
-
SCOTUS Hears Arguments of Abortion Pill Mifepristone CaseUpdated March 27, 2024, 12:30 p.m. EST On Tuesday, March 26, the Supreme Court heard arguments about the mifepristone case, read more... Women's Health
-
IT: ⛑️ It's American Red Cross Giving Day, and... How will you give back today?Welcome to Wednesday, March 27th, philanthropists and entrepreneurs... It's American Red Cross Giving Day - a time to ensure the read more...