VA MENTALHEALTH

RESOURCESE D W A R D W I T H R O W

According to the AmericanPsychological Association, a large

percentage of United States soldiersare returning to their homes withserious mental health problems.

The most common of these disordersare depression and post-traumatic

stress disorder, which are difficult tocope with and require professional

treatment.

Thankfully, organizations like theUnited States Department of VeteranAffairs exist to assist those returning

from battle. The following are theservices they offer to veterans.

Comprehensive Psychiatric Care

This is necessary for anyone experiencing problems with theirmental health, and it is at the core of all VA mental health

programs.

Family-Related Services

With an understanding that a veteran's mental health affectsthe whole family, the VA offers educational training for family

members.

Local Mental Health RecoveryCoordinator

This is a person whose job is to connect veterans with localmental health services that will assist them with recovery, no

matter where they live.

Mental Health Intensive CaseManagement (MHICM)

This is a program in which a team of mental healthprofessionals assist a veteran through his or her healing

process.

Peer Counseling

This service is provided because the VA understands thatsometimes veterans must connect with other veterans to work

through their thoughts and emotions.

Psychosocial Rehabilitation andRecovery Center

This is a transitional facility in which veterans are taught howto reconnect with the world after experiencing combat.

Social Skills Training

Veterans who find interacting with others more difficult aftercombat benefit from this form of training.

Transitional Work Experience andSupported Employment

Veterans who are having difficulty securing a job due to mentalhealth problems related to combat benefit from this program.

For more information and acomprehensive list of resources,

visit http://www.mentalhealth.va.gov