Less than half of the medical centers have actual PTSD clinics

IG: VA lags on meeting own care standards

Less than half of the medical centers have actual PTSD clinics, the report says.

By Rick Maze - Staff writer
Posted : Tuesday May 11, 2010 16:23:32 EDT

Veterans Affairs Department hospitals and clinics are moving slowly to implement standardized policies for treatment of mental health disorders and substance abuse disorders, according to a new report by VA’s inspector general.

The result is hurting veterans, said Christina Roof, assistant national legislative director with AmVets, one of the major veterans service organizations. “Findings in this report are quite disturbing,” she said, especially given that mental health problems are a significant concern among Iraq and Afghanistan veterans, and the suicide rate among service members and veterans remains high.

“They have a plan, they just have not gotten around to fully implementing it,” Roof said. “I am not saying the VA isn’t trying, just maybe not hard enough or not staying focused. However, the rates of suicide have been going up for five years.”
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VA lags on meeting own care standards