On May 13, for Mental Health Awareness Month, VA held a Mental Health Showcase with presentations on VA mental health initiatives for Veterans and family members ranging from behavioral health programs and mental health care to parenting and the VA MOVE program for weight loss.
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After numerous inpatient stays at several VA Hospital, I find it is unacceptable that mental health patients are house with the addict recovery patients. This frequently causes tense moments to those that are already mentally fragile. Luckily I have access to Medicare and now only use a local treatment facility. Frankly, the last two times I was hospitalized at the VA Mental Health facility, I was ready to say anything to get out and thus not really helped.
Envio felicitaciones a todos y todas los que se esfurzan en el cuidado de la salud mental de los individuos en el universo. Saludos a Ramon de Aguilar, Octavio Bejerano y cada uno de los que lideriza el cuidado de la salud mental en Chiriqui.
Will since fan 2014 after my Dr retired from the va clinic the hold healthcare for veteran is in bottom. I can’t even get proper help for my burns. I fell when my doctor and 4 more after him hang up being doctors it government . I feel something came down from were unknown stop given narcotics to vets to proper care for the veteran Congress and senators Dont care. B I live in Wisconsin Madison . u even can’t call ur team without some one asking what wring then send u no mans land, put with nurse going u back 2 he’s later computer tell her u need to be seen. Are we in big brother computers tell us what, where , have do health care. Were human factor . I Dont trust the new doctor today their told what they can and can not do, what kind of meds give out, even thou its meds record do not give to him. They will not look into med records they pick out their high points Dont care what happen 5 yrs ago when u told those meds. So today doctors are run by big brother the computer today.
We need yo protest have rallies voice our feeling what really happen and fire up news media listen to the veterans, not government bs.
What these doctors have said is the cover story. The real story is very different. I for one have endured a good deal of elderly abuse. I have written my Congressman and Senators about it. I have written the Inspector General and the director at the San Francisco Veteran Affairs Hospital (Fort Millay) on several occasions. I have written the doctors concerned, and I have spoken with my Advocates at the Santa Rosa and San Francisco clinics about it, with no results. As a result, I have become very cynical. I am a 88 year old World War II Marine Corps veteran. Time is running out. I want justice.
From one veteran to another, I hate to tell you, sir, but; don’t expect much to happen to get the help you require. I have taken the same steps that you have and got the same responses. I am highly disgusted and embarrassed that the VA turned out not to be the organization that I was promised it would be. There are a few good apples left in the basket, however’ since most of them are rotten, regardless as to location and the President not asking for Shinseki’s termination, I don’t forsee either of us getting the proper care and in a timely manner that we need before we expire. Good luck and thank you for your service.
Envio felicitaciones a todos y todas los que se esfurzan en el cuidado de la salud mental de los individuos en el universo. Saludos a Ramon de Aguilar, Octavio Bejerano y cada uno de los que lideriza el cuidado de la salud mental en Chiriqui. Agradezco a cada uno del HOSPITAL REGIONAL DE CHIRIQUI en la sala de cuidados mentales y en todo el HOSPITAL en general por sus cuidados para conmigo y mis familiares. Lo mejor del cosmico en la presencia de DIOS.
As a Vietnam Vet, I waited too long to address issues of sexual assault as a teenager and while serving during Vietnam Era. It finally came to PTSD events 40 years after the fact during a stay as an inpatient in a VA hospital in Florida and great medical professionals to make me understand that I was suffering and needed professional help. I do not believe that I would have been here today, writing this, if it were not for their patience and guidance. The VA is there to save lives…it certainly has saved mine in so many ways. If there is any veteran reading this who thinks they also may need help in navigating life’s challenges after service, seek help with with the VA. It may save your life and the lives of those friends and family members who love you.
The mental health service at the Birmingham VA is the best that I know of. They have helped me with PTSD.
The VA has incompetent Mental health doctors. They are usually foreigners without being certified by the AMA in our country. They don’t even know how to approach the patient with PTSD and are unable to help them in any way. We need excellent, certified by the United States American Medical Association that know how to care and properly treat PTSD and TBI. To the VA, get rid of the foreign psychologist, they do not have knowledge on how Americans think or communicate with their problems. Only employ knowledgeable, certified and specialized mental health professionals. Then and only then, will the veterans be helped with PTSD and TBI. The veterans have served the USA by providing protection against our enemies, now give these veterans the very best in HEALTHCARE.
How does a community based mental health provider develop a partnership to provide services to veterans? We are located in Florida.
Thank you for the time you spent putting this together. I do like the enthusiasm each speaker brings, but when you step away from the camera and the lime lights, you see what is really going on. I am a US ARMY NCO and VET of OEF Afghanistan 09/10. My case has been in the works for nearly 4 years now. I am still awaiting my percentage and back pay, as well as the most important part MY SURGERIES! I have now had an umbilical hernia since I was in Afghanistan. The VA Surgeon refused to correct it; stating “I don’t see any reason to worry about it now, it may not get any bigger or it may come out like a tennis ball.” Ok I was a highly active person and loved bodybuilding, but due to the VA not doing anything about my shoulder or my hernia. I have gained 60lbs from depression and not being able to do what I love. My issues are spiraling and getting worse because of the lack of care that is provided. I have scalp lesions from all the stress I’ve sustained and the Surgeon that looked at my head wouldn’t even listen to me when I talked and lied to me; telling me that I could get cancer if she took a biopsy of it. The nurses at the Montgomery VA can testify to that. I’m pissed off that I’m one of the VET’s you have that has been completely honest and has been completely shit on by your system. You are known by VETs as the DOG AND PONY SHOW! Simply because of all the fake son of a bitches that go in there and you hand them everything. I am legitimate and have turned my files in too your facilities by mail and in person; only to be told that they were not received. How the fuck is that possible? I hand something in person, it gets stamped, and still it wasn’t received. Someone kept throwing my shit around for people conning the system to get what they wanted. I’m glad I wrote Jeff Sessions regarding the poor way I have been treated in Montgomery. I hope this gets to someone with some pull or some Balls, because it’s damn time the real hard-working Man gets what he deserves!