Posted on Mar 4, 2016
The VA crisis line has a 26% abandonment rate. How would you handle?
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The facts are out there in today's copy of the USA Today: Veterans are left hanging when they call the VA crisis hotline. For a veteran to even make that call, it takes a lot of courage.
How do we keep ourselves from leaving these veterans behind? Do we all stand up, petition, and answer the calls or do we privatize the VA in a way we can ensure the job gets done? How would you approach this?
How do we keep ourselves from leaving these veterans behind? Do we all stand up, petition, and answer the calls or do we privatize the VA in a way we can ensure the job gets done? How would you approach this?
Suicide
PTSD
PTS
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 31
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Round up unemployed vets, train them and put them to work on the lines. They get a paying job, vets in crisis get put in touch with the help they need from someone who understands. Two birds, one stone.
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1SG Al Brown
There, you fixed it. It's truly as easy as you say. The admin side of the VA could be quickly repaired if the right person was hired to fix it (Dept. of VA, Secretary). That person would need to fire his entire senior staff and bring in a team to clean up and re-write the entire SOP and policy structure. In 4 years (time for the mid-level GS 12 thru 15 non-SES to retire out), the VA would be a new place, that was inviting and designed for veterans.
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One suggestion: have the VA crisis line roll over to a civilian crisis line, staffed by persons familiar with VA resources. Let the civilians handle the initial call/response/referral. The respective agency would bill the VA for the services provided.
Conceptually like a "real time" choice program.
Conceptually like a "real time" choice program.
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COL David Turk
The hotline, or civilian counterpart, does not necessarily have to be local, as long as they can refer to coverage available to that locality.
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SPC Jorge h Ayala
I agree in Virginia there have been vets in crisis and the number the #vets use end up with civilian crisis counselors answering.
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As a Chaplain, I would like to see the VA recognize us for our ability to be caregivers even after we've "hung up the uniform." I'm now a Reservist and I've tried to get a job with the VA but I was told that I don't have the proper credentials. This is absurd. I had/have the credentials and experience of caring for SMs and their families but I don't have the credentials to serve Vets?!?! Really?!?!
I'd be thrilled to be hired as an "On Call" Chaplain whereby a Vet can call a central number and the call is routed to me to so I may provide for a Vet who's hurting. My responsibilities would be rotational (perhaps once every 2 weeks for 24 hours) and I'd be paid for my services. But most importantly, Vets will draw comfort knowing that they're talking to a fellow Vet who won't abandon them.
I'd be thrilled to be hired as an "On Call" Chaplain whereby a Vet can call a central number and the call is routed to me to so I may provide for a Vet who's hurting. My responsibilities would be rotational (perhaps once every 2 weeks for 24 hours) and I'd be paid for my services. But most importantly, Vets will draw comfort knowing that they're talking to a fellow Vet who won't abandon them.
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