Post by jerryfmcompushaft on Sept 1, 2012 10:19:07 GMT -5
WASHINGTON -- President Barack Obama signed an executive order Friday directing the Department of Veterans Affairs to expand mental health services and suicide prevention efforts.
The president made the announcement in a speech to troops at Fort Bliss, Texas, where he was scheduled to hold a roundtable with soldiers and their families.
Much of what's outlined in the executive order are initiatives that were previously announced earlier this summer by the VA.Obama is instructing the VA to ensure that any veteran with suicidal thoughts is seen by a mental health professional within 24 hours -- a standard already set for the VA, but which the department often fails to meet. Read the complete article which goes on to outline steps to be taken by the VA to provide mental health services in underserved areas by contracting with civilian providers. This was put in place after Vietnam and many "Vet Centers" were staffed by civilian contract personnel. Nothing new here but looks like an attempt to re-invigorate a system put in place following Vietnam.
The president made the announcement in a speech to troops at Fort Bliss, Texas, where he was scheduled to hold a roundtable with soldiers and their families.
Much of what's outlined in the executive order are initiatives that were previously announced earlier this summer by the VA.Obama is instructing the VA to ensure that any veteran with suicidal thoughts is seen by a mental health professional within 24 hours -- a standard already set for the VA, but which the department often fails to meet. Read the complete article which goes on to outline steps to be taken by the VA to provide mental health services in underserved areas by contracting with civilian providers. This was put in place after Vietnam and many "Vet Centers" were staffed by civilian contract personnel. Nothing new here but looks like an attempt to re-invigorate a system put in place following Vietnam.