Here’s how the COMPACT Act can help veterans during a suicide crisis

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - Veterans Affairs Augusta hosted a virtual town hall for veterans and the community to learn more about emergency mental health care options on Monday.

The meeting focused on emergency health care for those who experience suicidal thoughts and for those who can help.

The Veterans Comprehensive Prevention Access to Care and Treatment Act expanded VA Augusta’s ability to provide and cover treatment for those in a crisis.

The COMPACT Act allows veterans in suicidal crisis to go to any VA or community health care facility for free emergency mental health care, including transportation costs, inpatient or crisis residential care for up to 30 days, and outpatient care for up to 90 days, including social work.

It comes at no cost to veterans going through a suicide crisis.

“I don’t wanna keep doing this. I don’t wanna take my meds anymore. Why am I still here?,” said Candance Demello with Project Lifting Spirits.

She sees it every day as she helps veterans in the community cope with trauma and helps take care of her husband who deals with those thoughts often.

“He takes 17 different medications every night,” she said.

Veterans face a 57% higher risk of suicide than those who don’t serve and for some, finances can build the wall between life-safe saving care and death.

“No one likes to get a nasty ER bill. In particular, if you’re in a position where you felt your life was going to end or you were going to hurt or kill yourself,” said Alfredo Perez, licensed mental health counselor with VA Augusta.

It’s where the COMPACT Act comes into play.

It helps relieve the financial burden of veterans in suicide crises, but the VA says not many veterans know about it or what it covers.

“We’re talking about transportation. We’re talking about prescriptions for medications or even aftercare,” said Perez.

Eligible individuals, regardless of VA enrollment status, include:

• Those who were discharged or released from active duty after more than 24 months of active service under conditions other than dishonorable.
• Former of the armed forces, including reserve service , who served more than 100 days under a combat exclusion or in of a contingency operation either directly or by operating an unmanned aerial vehicle from another location who was discharged under conditions other than dishonorable.
• Former of the armed forces who were the victim of a physical assault of a sexual nature, a battery of a sexual nature, or sexual harassment while serving in the armed forces.

They’re hoping to get more veterans and continue to help those going through crisis.

Demello says that starts with the tough conversations.

“It’s tough. Let me handle the PTSD so you don’t have to. Let me take that off your shoulders,” said Demello.

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