Enhancing Behavioral Health Services for Veterans | AHRQ Innovations Exchange

Enhancing Behavioral Health Services for Veterans | AHRQ Innovations Exchange

Enhancing Behavioral Health Services for Veterans 

Wednesday, October 15, 2014

Veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are at increased risk for sleep disorders, substance abuse, depression, and suicide. The National Center for PTSDestimates that 11-20% of veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars suffer from PTSD. Programs are using innovative approaches to increase access to behavioral health services for veterans and their families in order to improve outcomes.

 

The featured Innovations describe an anonymous, online program that enhanced access to behavioral health services and support for veterans who may be reluctant to seek in-person therapy, a collaboration among civilian and Veterans Affairs behavioral health clinicians to provide co-located services to veterans and their family members, and a partnership between academic medicine and a major-league sports team focused on coordinated treatment and support for veterans with PTSD and traumatic brain injury and their families.

 

The featured QualityTools include videos designed to help providers prevent chronic mental health problems resulting from combat and other war-zone stress, and a Web site for clinicians that features treatment tools to support the rehabilitation and recovery of veterans with mental health issues.

Featured Innovations:

• Anonymous, Online Program and Peer Support Enhance Veterans’ Access to Behavioral Health Services, Reduce Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Depressive Symptoms
• Co-located, Coordinated Services for Veterans and Their Families Enhance Access to Mental Health Care and Generate Clinical Benefits and High Levels of Satisfaction
• Coordinated Treatment and Support Enhance Access to Care for Veterans With Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Traumatic Brain Injury and Their Families

Featured QualityTools:

• Community Provider Toolkit: Serving Veterans Through Partnership. Mental Health and Wellness (Mini-Clinics)
• The New Warrior: Combat Stress and Wellness

Also in This Issue:

Innovations ▸

• Culturally Tailored Pharmacist Home Visits and Educator-Led Group Sessions Increase Medication Adherence and Reduce Blood Pressure for Seniors with Hypertension and Diabetes
• Daily Sessions With Pacifier That Activates Mother’s Voice Improve Feeding Skills, Speed Transition to Oral Feedings, and Shorten Hospital Stay for Premature Infants
• Nurse Practitioners Assess At-Risk, Elderly Emergency Department Patients and Educate Clinicians on Their Needs, Improving Wait Times, Readmissions, and Patient Satisfaction