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

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.