Vet Centers Provide Counseling and Care by Phone, Video and In Person

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs — Wed, 03 Jun 2020 08:54:17 -0400

The novel coronavirus is uniting the world in response to a public health threat. If you are a veteran, service member or family member, the isolation, stress and disruption of routines caused by the COVID-19 pandemic may introduce mental health issues.

I want to remind you that the Vet Center community is here — for counseling, care and other services by phone and via video chat.

Confronting a New Challenge

When I was appointed chief officer of VA’s Readjustment Counseling Service four years ago, I could scarcely have imagined this situation: The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the nation confronting a global health crisis requiring physical distancing, face coverings and a reliance on remote work and virtual services.

Our challenge in adjusting to this new reality is keeping the community focus of the Vet Center model. Our goal is for our clients to stay engaged in services, and to continue our outreach to eligible individuals who are not currently seeking Vet Center services. We also invite those unfamiliar with Vet Centers to reach out to us and discover what we offer.

On any given day, we provide services through 300 Vet Centers, 83 Mobile Vet Centers and nearly 1,000 community access points. Our trained counselors deliver individual, group, marriage and family counseling to meet our clients’ goals. We can help clients find meaningful employment, safe housing and earned benefits. We also provide traditional counseling for symptoms associated with post-traumatic stress disorder and military sexual trauma.

In addition to these services, Vet Centers also offer opportunities to build community and connect our clients with others who have shared experiences. Some group activities offered at Vet Centers across the country or through community partners include gardening, music groups, creative writing classes, yoga and more.

And if you visit a Vet Center, your records are not linked to any other record and are not shared with VA medical centers or the U.S. Department of Defense without your signed release unless there is serious intent to harm.

Accessing Vet Center Care

Although the majority of our services are now provided virtually, we maintain a community presence and community-building approach. Here are five ways to access Vet Centers during this time:

· Make a phone connection. Any veteran or active duty service member can call our 24/7 hotline, 877-WAR-VETS (273-8255) to discuss available services with trained combat veterans or family members of combat veterans. Our teams will direct you to the care you need and can discuss your options for receiving care, including over the phone, by video and, when it is safe to do so, in person.

· Set up a virtual connection. Call your nearest Vet Center to set up a video counseling session through VA Video Connect (VA’s version of Zoom). Technical support is available via email and phone to help you set up this connection.

· Understand the process for walk-in appointments. Walk-in appointments are available, but please know that we are taking extra safety precautions to protect you and our staff. You will be required to wear a face covering. When you arrive for your appointment, you receive a COVID-19 screening and may be directed for further care and testing. That’s because your safety — and that of our staff — is our priority.

· Find Vet Centers online and in your community. Locate Vet Center services both online and in the community. We deployed Mobile Vet Centers to areas hard hit by COVID-19, including Los Angeles, New Orleans, New York and San Francisco. We are also present in the community through the many Vet Centers that remain open and are staffed by our dedicated and compassionate team. We thank them for their stellar work during a difficult time.

· Don’t go it alone. As we recognized PTSD Awareness Month in May, I want to reiterate that it’s okay to ask for help. Share your experience with a Vet Center community that has also served. Our teams are professional yet relaxed in their approach and provide a judgment-free and welcoming environment. Use Vet Centers to keep moving toward your goals, and we look forward to working with you soon.

About the author: Michael Fisher leads and oversees 300 Vet Centers, 83 Mobile Vet Centers and the Vet Center Call Center, which provide readjustment counseling to veterans, active duty service members and their families. Services are available in all 50 states, District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam and American Samoa. As chief officer, he provides advice to the Under Secretary for Health on issues related to the readjustment of veterans and their families and on issues concerning the combat experience. Prior to his VA career, he served more than 10 years with the Pennsylvania National Guard and deployed to Iraq as an infantry noncommissioned officer in 2005.

Response by Wayne Soares made Jun 3 at 2020 8:58 AM

Wayne Soares — Wed, 03 Jun 2020 08:58:38 -0400

Awesome

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Jun 3 at 2020 9:24 AM

SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth — Wed, 03 Jun 2020 09:24:23 -0400

Excellent share from the VA.

Response by CPT Aaron Kletzing made Jun 3 at 2020 12:01 PM

CPT Aaron Kletzing — Wed, 03 Jun 2020 12:01:45 -0400

I'm really glad to see the VA providing care via video

Response by Cpl Richard Callahan made Jun 3 at 2020 11:04 PM

Cpl Richard Callahan — Wed, 03 Jun 2020 23:04:09 -0400

I NEED CANCELING!

Response by SGT Rebecca Walker made Jun 3 at 2020 11:52 PM

SGT Rebecca Walker — Wed, 03 Jun 2020 23:52:03 -0400

I have been trying to get an appt set up for months!! Keep getting told since it would be my first appt I need to go through an orientation, but they aren't doing any now. So I can't be seen. Thanks for helping when someone is asking for help!?! (Sarcasm)

Response by CPL Candido Neris made Jun 4 at 2020 7:27 AM

CPL Candido Neris — Thu, 04 Jun 2020 07:27:39 -0400

I am right now in Cedar Park Tx. What can I do to get medical treaming here?

Response by Col Joseph Oneill made Jun 6 at 2020 6:42 AM

Col Joseph Oneill — Sat, 06 Jun 2020 06:42:23 -0400

I am a retired 36 yr. af. veteran. i have been told i cannot be treated a a va facilty because of my annual income. please explain.

joseph g o'neill, col. (ret)

Response by PO3 Segio Rojas made Jun 10 at 2020 9:00 AM

PO3 Segio Rojas — Wed, 10 Jun 2020 09:00:16 -0400

Information using my cal vet or va Benefits for buying home ?

Response by 1SG Michael Anthony Gonzales made Jun 26 at 2020 3:30 PM

1SG Michael Anthony Gonzales — Fri, 26 Jun 2020 15:30:39 -0400

I’m an active participant: therapy started at Ft. Worth, TX during early part of 2017 then moved to Amarillo, TX latter part of 2017. I’m a Vietnam Vet (1968-1969) but did not get involved with the VA until 2013: knee replacement and prostate cancer (agent orange).

Due to the additional stress, VA incidents, and flash backs, I was direct to Mental Health which lead me to the VET CENTER.

Due to their assistance, I was able to prepare and submit VA Benefit’s applications.

Not aware housing and employment assistance also provided. Thanks for the heads up! Hooah

Response by SPC Floyd Hall made Jun 29 at 2020 5:12 PM

SPC Floyd Hall — Mon, 29 Jun 2020 17:12:32 -0400

My lease is up in 2 months, I have been prevented from making any extra money due to Covid and extreme health issues. (Service Connected).
Are there any help available to me? I do not want to become homeless again after fighting so long to change my life and circumstances. [login to see]
Thank you
Floyd Hall

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 30 at 2020 2:43 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 30 Jun 2020 14:43:41 -0400

I love my local Vet Center. My group session is made of of mostly Vietnam Vets, so our counselor is having us get together for group via call-in rather than video. For our group it works. We are excited, though, this Thursday we get to meet (outside at a community park, socially distancing, of course) for the first time since March!

Response by SN Marvin S. Robinson II made Jun 30 at 2020 3:24 PM

SN Marvin S. Robinson II — Tue, 30 Jun 2020 15:24:59 -0400

NEEDED service: THANKS yALL, hope they have some good Counselors and ADVOCATES to finally assist VETS and not just another electronic Brochure presentation

Response by SN Destini Warner-Martin made Jun 30 at 2020 3:34 PM

SN Destini Warner-Martin — Tue, 30 Jun 2020 15:34:21 -0400

How do we get an appointment?

Response by SPC Floyd Hall made Jul 8 at 2020 11:02 AM

SPC Floyd Hall — Wed, 08 Jul 2020 11:02:28 -0400

Exactly what and how much can you blame on Covid?
Do you not think these problems exsisted prior to Covid?
Please be original in your response, or at the very least, be honest. I know thats alot to ask from the venerated Veterans Administration. We beg you as a group to at the very least to try.
Thank you
Floyd Hall III [login to see]

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 28 at 2020 12:43 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 28 Aug 2020 12:43:50 -0400

A Vet center Operates independently from VA and they have much better people there for counseling services that will help you adjust to state side life. Yes I am speaking from personal experience and I recommend to all that if you are having trouble with all the colors noise and everything trying to get your attention. Visit the Nearest Vet center and ask for help.