Army Overhauls Mental Health Services
And a year after the VA scandal became public, veterans report some improvements but say the agency continues to struggle with a corrupt bureaucracy. Meanwhile, a supervisor at an Indiana facility resigns after sending an email that appeared to mock veteran suicides.
The Seattle Times:
As PTSD Cases Surge, Army Overhauling Mental Health Services
The Army is overhauling mental health services after years of war in Iraq and Afghanistan, aiming to end an era of experimentation in which nearly 200 programs were tried on different bases. At Joint Base Lewis-McChord and elsewhere, the Army has pushed counseling teams out of hospitals to embed with troops. It’s also cutting back the use of private psychiatric hospitals while expanding intensive mental health programs at military facilities like Madigan Army Medical Center. (Bernton, 4/11)
Arizona Republic:
A Year Later: VA Struggles To Improve Care Nationwide
At the peak of the controversy, dozens of medical personnel were rushed to Arizona as fill-ins, mobile-care units were deployed in Phoenix, and overtime hours increased. Since June, 305 employees have been added. In primary-care clinics — where the need was desperate — 53 additional doctors, nurses and clerks are on staff. (Wagner, 4/11)
USA Today/Indianapolis Star:
VA Supervisor Resigns After Email Controversy
The supervisor at Roudebush Veterans Affairs Medical Center who sent an email that appears to mock veteran suicides has resigned. Robin Paul, who managed the Indianapolis hospital's transitional clinic for returning veterans, submitted her resignation on Tuesday. ... Paul said the email was taken out of context and was never intended to mock veterans. (Cook, 4/10)