Topic: Report Faults VA Mental Health Program

USA Today
May 11, 2007
Pg. 5


Veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan face an increased risk of suicide because many Veterans Affairs clinics do not have 24-hour mental health care available, an internal review found. The report by the VA inspector general found that services were inconsistent throughout the department's 1,400 clinics. Many lacked 24-hour staff, adequate screening for mental problems or properly trained workers.
The report is the first extensive look at VA mental health care, particularly suicide prevention. It said about 1,000 veterans who receive VA care commit suicide every year; as many as 5,000 of all veterans commit suicide annually.
The VA's acting undersecretary for health, Michael Kussman, agreed with many of the report's recommendations. He said the VA recently placed suicide prevention coordinators in each center.