James Nov-Dec 2023 web - Flipbook - Page 19
for Preventing Veteran Suicide. (Late
last year the VA released the 2022
National Veteran Suicide Prevention
Annual Report, which showed that
veteran suicides decreased in 2020
for the second year in a row, and that
fewer died by suicide in 2020 than in
any year since 2006.)
“Veterans in suicidal crisis can
now receive the free, world-class
emergency health care they deserve— no matter where they need
it, when they need it, or whether
they’re enrolled in VA care,” says VA
Secretary for Veterans Affairs Denis
McDonough. “This expansion of care
will save veterans’ lives, and there’s
nothing more important than that.”
A VA media release says the
agency submitted a rule to The Federal Register, which took effect earlier
this year, that allows the VA to:
Provide, pay for, or reimburse for
treatment of eligible individuals’
emergency suicide care, transportation costs, and follow-up care at
a VA or non-VA facility for up to 30
days of inpatient care and 90 days
of outpatient care.
Make appropriate referrals for care
following the period of emergency
suicide care.
Determine eligibility for other VA
services and benefits.
Refer eligible individuals for
appropriate VA programs and
benefits following the period of
emergency suicide care.
Eligible individuals, regardless
of VA enrollment status, are veterans
who were discharged or released
from active duty after more than 24
months of active service under conditions other than dishonorable.
If veterans and military families
haven’t been on the VA’s website
lately, it would pay to do so at VA.gov.
It’s true there have been VA
problems that have been uncovered
in recent years, especially in Georgia
centers. Some have been addressed,
some haven’t. A huge, continuing
frustration is unacceptable delays
that Georgia vets are facing on decisions for pending benefits claims.
Some veterans I’ve talked with have
been awaiting over a year or more to
receive a decision on their appeals
of denied benefits (which go through
the Board of Veterans’ Appeals).
Let’s hope this is corrected soon.
veterans are not alone
This fall the VA conducted an
annual “buddy check” where all veterans were invited to complete peer
wellness reviews and a pledge to talk
with at least 10 veterans, military
families, caregivers and/or survivors.
The mission: Increase access to VA
health and benefits, improve mental
health, foster awareness on suicide
prevention, decrease isolation and
support peer networking.
There are many non-VA, no-cost
community resources available to
support this “buddy check” program.
American Legion posts and Veterans
of Foreign Affairs halls especially
encourage checks to reconnect with
veterans who may need assistance.
Complimenting this is the educational approach of the Georgia-based
United Military Care. Through its initiatives like We CARE Veterans Fairs,
its Emergency Response Team and
Georgia Veterans Network, UMC has
a team that work to ensure that veterans and their families obtain help. It
can range from contacting a veteran’s
member of Congress for assistance to
completing bureaucratic paperwork.
The Veteran Wellness Alliance
also offers services through Connect
With Peers as a great way to link up
with buddies and peers, with organizations such as Team RWB, Travis
Manion Foundation, Team Rubicon,
Elizabeth Dole Foundation, Team 43,
Student Veterans of America, The
Mission Continues and Wounded
Warrior Project. “Buddy checks” are a
reminder that veterans don’t need to
go through a trying time alone.
A Georgia Veterans Memorial Goal
There are many impressive
veterans monuments and war
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