Bridging the gap: VA Augusta expands mental health services for local veterans
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and VA Augusta health system has announced some events and initiatives that are aimed at enhancing veterans’ mental health.
For the first time ever, the VA Augusta healthcare system is accepting involuntary psychiatric issions.
Leaders say this is a pivotal move to helping our veterans by removing the barriers to help people experiencing an immediate crisis.
The VA says they’re seeing an increase in demand for services, and they’re doing everything they can to expand their mental health resources — something that’s needed in our area.
“They know where you’re coming from versus the civilian world,” said Frank Smith, a veteran. “So you know, that’s why I always feel like it’s better than being out to somebody else who’s been through the same situation you’ve been through.”
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Reaching more veterans by continuing to offer services.
“Mental health crisis can kind of come at any time,” said Dustin Wright, VA chief of mental health.
And expanding them.
“There’s a lot of stigma surrounding mental health, but it’s just like physical health,” said Dr. Ardra Gilchrist, local recovery coordinator. “You want to take care of yourself, you want to go to your doctor, you want to get those checkups and it’s the same thing for mental health.”
Now they’re accepting involuntary psychiatric issions, giving them the same care as those itted voluntarily.
“There’s a significant population who need pretty urgent mental health care, but are not always willing at that moment to get it,” said Wright. “This gives us the opportunity to keep those veterans in VA care even if there is a situation where we have to legally hold somebody and get them the mental healthcare they need, and we don’t have to send them out to the community anymore.”
Wanting to help veterans have access to what they need locally.
“We expect that adding this service will probably also lead to an increase in veterans staying here locally and getting enrolled in care at an outpatient,” said Wright.
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And allowing them to better serve those who have served us.
“Just for my sake because I just want to make sure I get a better life and make sure I can understand people better, versus just getting out of the military because it’s a whole different ballpark between the civilian world and the military world,” said Smith. “Here, they kind of like bridge, that gap of the veterans and civilians. So at least when we can go back out to the civilian, we’re much calmer and cooler.”
“You can always present to our Ed. You can call the crisis line 988 and press 1. You can present to our outpatient clinics. Our goal is to provide seamless service, keep you here in VA as much as possible and make a seamless transition an inpatient level of care to the outpatient level,” said Wright.
We also know that VA Augusta is working to open a new, state-of-the-art inpatient mental health unit.
We’re told there is no opening date set, but it will be this year if everything goes according to plan.
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On Wednesday, VA Augusta hosted its 3rd Annual Mental Health Resource Fair.
The event took place from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. in Room 3B-125 of the Uptown campus of Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center, located at 1 Freedom Way.
The fair featured several VA Augusta mental health resources and services.
VA Augusta also offers mental health services designed to meet the unique needs of veterans:
- Military Sexual Trauma (MST): VA Augusta provides free, confidential treatment for physical or mental health conditions related to experiences of Military Sexual Trauma for both men and women.
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): The Trauma Recovery Clinic offers outpatient, evidence-based care for veterans who have experienced trauma.
- Psychosocial Rehabilitation and Recovery Center (PRRC): This recovery-oriented, outpatient program helps veterans with serious mental health concerns.
- Suicide Prevention Program: VA Augusta has embraced impactful changes, including the COMPACT Act, which ensures the VA covers suicide prevention care costs even when accessed at non-VA facilities.
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