Whole Health Approach Prioritizes Mental Health Care for Veterans

Strategic Insights -

The US Department of Veterans Affairs emphasizes the importance of integrating mental health care into its Whole Health approach, recognizing the unique challenges faced by Veterans, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). According to the VA, 23% of Veterans using VA care had PTSD at some point in their lives, compared to 7% of Veterans who don't use VA for health care. This team-based care model enables mental health providers to address the full picture of a Veteran's concerns, rather than isolating physical and mental health care. The VA offers various mental health care careers, including psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, counselors, and psychiatric nurses, to support the well-being of Veterans.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Department of Veterans Affairs' Whole Health approach prioritizes the mental health of Veterans alongside their physical health.
  • 23% of Veterans using VA care have experienced PTSD at some point in their lives, compared to 7% of Veterans who don't use VA for health care.
  • The VA's Whole Health model integrates mental health care into a team-based care model, addressing the full picture of a Veteran's concerns.
  • Veterans may face unique mental health challenges, such as PTSD, which can interact with their physical health and impede recovery.
  • The VA offers various mental health care careers, including psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, counselors, and psychiatric nurses.
  • The Whole Health approach enables VA mental health care providers to work collaboratively to address mental health concerns alongside physical health concerns.
  • VA's team-based care model distinguishes it from isolated providers outside the VA system, who may not be able to communicate or collaborate in the same way.
  • The VA's approach acknowledges the importance of addressing mental health challenges to facilitate full body healing.
  • Army Veteran Jim Bedingfield's experience highlights the VA's ability to address both physical and mental health.

Statistics:

  • 23% of Veterans using VA care had PTSD at some point in their lives (Source: VA study).
  • 7% of Veterans who don't use VA for health care experienced PTSD (Source: VA study).
  • VA's Whole Health model enables mental health providers to address the full picture of a Veteran's concerns.
  • Veterans may face unique mental health challenges, such as PTSD, which can interact with their physical health and impede recovery.

Sources:

  • US Department of Veterans Affairs news release
  • VA study mentioned in the news release (no date)
  • Article about Army Veteran Jim Bedingfield's Whole Health journey (no date)