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Veterans
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- Written by: Department of Veterans Affairs
WASHINGTON, DC – The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced that it has made significant progress in providing increased access to mental health care services for the nation’s veterans by hiring new mental health professionals.
Last year, Secretary Eric K. Shinseki announced a goal to hire 1,600 new mental health clinical providers and 300 administrative support staff.
The president’s Aug. 31, 2012, Executive Order requires the positions to be filled by June 30, 2013.
As of Jan. 29, VA has hired 1,058 mental health clinical providers and 223 administrative support staff in support of this specific goal.
“We aren’t slowing down our efforts even after these initial positive results,” said Shinseki. “We still need to hire more mental health professionals in order to reach our goal, but each new hire means we can treat more veterans and provide greater access to our mental health services.”
Overall, VA has set aggressive goals to fill these new positions as well as existing and projected mental health vacancies within the VA system.
As of Jan. 29, VA has hired a total of 3,262 mental health professionals and administrative support staff to serve veterans since the goal was announced, which includes the new 1,058 mental health clinical providers and 223 administrative support staff.
The mental health professionals hired include psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, mental health nurses, licensed professional mental health counselors, licensed marriage and family therapists, and addictions therapists.
VA provides a comprehensive system of high-quality mental health treatments and services to veterans.
The department is utilizing many tools to recruit and retain one of the largest mental health care workforces in the nation to serve veterans better by providing enhanced services, expanded access, longer clinic hours, and increased telemental health capability to deliver services.
“Today, as veterans return home from missions in Afghanistan and those who previously returned from Iraq, it is imperative that we ensure they have access to timely, high-quality mental health care,” said Undersecretary for Health Dr. Robert A. Petzel. “The invisible scars of war follow them as they return from theater. It is our responsibility to identify these wounds, treat them and prevent the long-term physical, mental and social consequences of them.”
In accordance with the president’s Aug. 31, 2012, Executive Order, VA has also completed hiring and training of additional staff to increase the capacity of the Veterans Crisis Line (1-800-273-8255, press 1) and phone lines have been increased by 50 percent.
As of Dec. 31, 2012, the Veterans Crisis Line has received over 747,000 calls, over 83,000 chats, as well as over 5,000 texts, and has saved more than 26,000 Veterans in imminent danger.
There are many veterans who are willing to seek treatment and to share their experiences with mental health issues when they share a common bond of duty, honor and service with the provider.
VA is in the process of hiring and training 800 Peer Specialists in the coming year. Additionally, VA has awarded a contract to the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance to provide certification training for Peer Specialists. This peer staff is expected to all be hired by Dec. 31, 2013, and will work as members of mental health teams.
The number of veterans receiving specialized mental health treatment from VA has risen each year, from 927,052 in fiscal year (FY) 2006 to more than 1.3 million in FY 2012.
One major reason for this increase is VA’s proactive screening of all veterans to identify those who may have symptoms of depression, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), problem use of alcohol or who have experienced military sexual trauma (MST).
Mental health care providers seeking opportunities to serve our nation’s veterans can find additional information about rewarding VA careers and apply for jobs online at www.vacareers.va.gov and www.usajobs.gov .
To locate the nearest VA facility or vet center for enrollment and to get scheduled for care, veterans can visit VA’s Web site at www.va.gov .
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Studies report that since 2004, suicides rates in the U.S. Army have been on the rise. While researchers debate the cause, a new study finds that among suicide cases from 2007-2010, young white males were more at risk than any other demographic.
This study will be published in Armed Forces & Society, a SAGE journal published on behalf of the Inter-University Seminar on Armed Forces and Society.
Army Research Psychologists James Griffith and Mark Vaitkus analyzed data from the Army National Guard's (ARNG) personnel data system, from a routine data collection of ARNG soldiers returning from deployment, and Army reserve soldiers' responses to the 2009 Status of Forces Questionnaire.
They found that 17-24 year-olds were an average of 1.59 times more likely to have committed suicide than their older peers, that males were 3.05 times more likely to have committed suicide than females, and that white soldiers were 1.85 times more likely to have committed suicide than other race groups.
Additionally, researchers found that for soldiers that had been deployed, combat exposure and other military-related variables showed little to no associations with suicide risk.
These findings are consistent with those reported in other, independently conducted Army studies.
Researchers offered explanations for each of the three suicide patterns among ARNG soldiers. For example, as suicides in the Army are more likely to occur among 17 to 24 year-olds, Griffith and Vaitkus discussed how this younger age group is one in which individuals are likely to be struggling to define who they are and how they relate to others.
“Self-identity provides the individual with a sense of worth and meaning, characteristics often absent in suicide cases,” the authors stated.
Griffith and Vaitkus also stated that African American, compared to white, communities often have better support systems, higher participation in religion, and have also been described to be more resilient in adapting to difficult life experiences.
With regards to differences between male and female soldiers, researchers stated that males are more likely to engage in behavior that would put them at risk for suicide such as familiarity with and use of fire arms and alcohol/substance abuse, that men are less likely to seek or develop social support, and that women benefit more from social integration than men.
Researchers stated that they hoped their findings would help identify those who are at risk for suicide and concluded, “after identifying those at risk, soldiers need to be managed and provided appropriate support and care.”
Nevertheless, they also noted that this is complicated for reservists who spend most of their time in “part-time” or civilian status.
As reservists now number about one-half the active duty Army, the researchers argued for more deliberate thought on how best to screen reserve soldiers who are at-risk for suicide, especially with the recent increased reliance on the reserves.
At present, reservists identified as at risk must rely on their own private health care for treatment, which is likely to be inadequate.
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WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-05) has announced that the House of Representatives Wounded Warrior Program is accepting applications for positions in congressional offices around the country, including in his Vallejo office.
“As a combat Vietnam veteran, it is my high honor to have the opportunity to add one of our nation’s brave servicemembers to my dedicated staff,” said Thompson. “This is an excellent opportunity for the men and women who served our nation in the Armed Forces to continue their public service.”
The position available in Thompson’s Vallejo office is for a caseworker, who would be responsible for facilitating and coordinating responses to a wide range of requests received from constituents.
District caseworkers also help constituents interact with administrative and government agencies by acting as facilitators, ombudsmen and, in some cases, advocates.
A full job description can be found at http://cao.house.gov/job-title-veterans-case-worker-5 .
The Wounded Warrior Program was established to create fellowships that provide employment opportunities within the House of Representatives.
The fellowships will provide veterans with experience and exposure to ultimately broaden their scope of transition opportunities. Positions are available in congressional district offices nationwide.
According to the Wounded Warrior Program, applicants must have served on active duty since September 11, 2001, have a 30 percent or greater service-connected disability rating and less than 20 years of service.
In addition to a current resume, applicants must submit a copy of their DD214 and a VA letter confirming that they have at least a 30 percent service-connected disability rating.
Interested applicants can visit the Wounded Warrior Program’s Web site – http://cao.house.gov/wounded-warrior – for more information.
Thompson represents California’s Fifth Congressional District, which includes all or part of Contra Costa, Lake, Napa, Solano and Sonoma counties.
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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Wyland Wacaser is celebrating a number of milestones on his journey in the United States Air Force.
The 2012 graduate of Lower Lake High School began basic military training on Oct. 2, 2012, graduating on Nov. 30 from Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas.
The following week he was moved to Sheppard Air Force Base in Wichita Falls, Texas.
There, he attended the preliminary explosive ordinance disposal class for 21 days, completing that course with six other airmen out of 30 competing airmen.
On Jan. 22 he was moved to Eglin Air force Base in Florida, where his final schooling is expected to last another six months to a year. His job will entail identifying and disposing of explosives, both friendly and hostile.
Wacaser has always had an interest in this line of work and in supporting his country, and he is determined to excel, according to family members.
His parents, Bert and Kelley Wacaser from the Cobb area, are standing proud along with the rest of his supporting family, including brother, Chris Wacaser; aunts and uncles, Alan Wacaser, Fred and Geri Wacaser, Jeff and Cathy Wilder, Uncle “Bull” and Christy Wilder, and Linda Austin; and several cheering cousins.
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MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – Air Force Airman Barrett R. Muller graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas.
The airman completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills.
Airmen who complete basic training earn four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force.
Muller is the son of Kimberly Norton of Hidden Valley Lake and Robert Muller of Middletown.
He is a 2012 graduate of Middletown High School.
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Army Sgt. 1st Class Norman R. Kelley Jr. has returned to the U.S. after being deployed overseas at a forward operating base to serve in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
Operation Enduring Freedom is the official name given to anti-terrorism military operations involving U.S. troops and allied coalition partners.
Active duty and reserve component members from all branches of the U.S. armed forces have been deployed to support the war against global terrorism outside the borders of the United States.
U.S. troops serve in South, Southwest and Central Asia, the Arabian peninsula, the Horn of Africa, islands in the Pacific and Europe.
Kelley is a communication chief assigned to the 4th Airborne Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska. He has served in the military for 16 years.
He is the nephew of Stephen Heglin of Santa Rosa, Calif.
The sergeant first class is a 1992 graduate of Kelseyville High School in Kelseyville, Calif.
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LAKEPORT, Calif. – Air Force Airman Matthew R. Gatton graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas.
The airman completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills.
Airmen who complete basic training earn four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force.
Gatton is the son of Judith and Brian Gatton of Lakeport.
He is a 2012 graduate of Clear Lake High School, Lakeport.
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The California Veterans License Plate Program provided county veteran services offices statewide with nearly a $750,000 in additional resources last year that was used to reach out to veterans and educate them about the benefits and services available to them.
The program offers specially-designed plates to California veterans and to those who want to honor them.
In 2012, the sale of “Veteran” and “Honoring Veterans” plates generated more than $734,000, nearly $56,000 more than the year before.
Since its inception in 1995, the program has generated more than $8 million. That money helps support a network of 58 county veteran services offices statewide.
“The money generated by the license plate program provides much-needed support for the county veterans services offices which is where the rubber meets the road for veterans who want to claim the benefits they’ve earned through military service,” said CalVet Secretary Peter J. Gravett. “The CVSOs answer all manner of benefit-related questions for veterans and their families and help them navigate the complex and often frustrating benefit application processes.”
California Veteran License Plates are made possible through a partnership between the California Department of Veterans Affairs (CalVet) and the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
These specialty plates can be customized with the armed forces or veterans service organization logo or emblem of choice.
State and federal veterans benefits, available to everyone honorably discharged from the U.S. military, include disability compensation and pension payments, healthcare, money for education and training, housing, home loans, and many others.
The CVSOs are trained, accredited professionals located in each county who help veterans and their families access those benefits. By law, this service is provided at no cost to the veterans.
To learn more or order a specialty license plate, visit the DMV web site at http://www.dmv.ca.gov/online/elp/elp.htm .
To find the County Veterans Service Offices in your area, go to www.cacvso.org and click on “Contact Us.”
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LOWER LAKE, Calif. – Air Force Airman Aleksandar Toshich graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas.
The airman completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills.
Airmen who complete basic training earn four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force.
Toshich earned distinction as an honor graduate.
He is the son of Nebojsha and Slobodanka Toshich of Lower Lake, Calif.
The airman is a 2012 graduate of Lower Lake High School.