When in an “acute suicidal crisis,” military veterans in the United States can now receive free counseling. They will now be able to receive free treatment, including inpatient care for up to 30 days and outpatient care for up to 90 days.
The Department of Veterans Affairs unveiled the mental health care strategy. Denis McDonough, Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA), announced the decision on Friday, saying, “Veterans in suicidal crisis can now receive the free, world-class emergency health care they deserve—regardless of where they need it when they need it, or whether they’re enrolled in VA care.”
“This expansion of care will save Veterans’ lives, and there’s nothing more important than that,” he added.
According to the announcement, the care can be obtained in both VA and non-VA healthcare facilities, and even veterans who are not enrolled in the VA system are eligible.
Veterans who have served in the military for at least two years are eligible for this care facility. Those who were dishonorably discharged, on the other hand, are ineligible.
Furthermore, “former members of the armed forces, including reserve service members, who served more than 100 days under a combat exclusion or in support of a contingency operation either directly or by operating an unmanned aerial vehicle from another location who was discharged under conditions other than dishonorable,” are eligible for suicide treatment.
The policy will also apply to veterans who suffered “a physical attack of a sexual nature, a battery of a sexual nature, or sexual harassment while serving in the armed forces”.
According to the release statement, the insurance would pay for or reimburse qualifying veterans’ treatment expenditures.
Measure is a significant component of the Joe Biden-Kamala Harris administration’s goal to reduce suicides
According to reports, the measure is a significant component of the Joe Biden-Kamala Harris administration’s goal to reduce military and veteran suicides.
Every year, hundreds of veterans commit suicide, tormented by their experience in the military and suffering from mental health conditions such as PTSD. According to a VA survey, suicide is the 13th highest cause of death among former military members. According to the data, 6,146 US veterans committed suicide in 2020. Another data, this time from the US Defense Department, indicates that 519 US service members, including active duty, Reserve, and National Guard troops, committed suicide in 2021.