news 'Evidence of noncompliance:' VA Inspector General report faults Vet Centers for incomplete suicide risk assessments for veteran clients

Hand-picked and curated unbiased veteran-related news

Veterans News

Hand-picked News
Official Account
WASHINGTON — The nation's 300 Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Community counseling agencies — known as Vet Centers — have a mission to help veterans adjust to civilian life after military service.
But they're failing to assess and document suicide risks consistently for clients experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder, depression or military sexual trauma, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General.
At a Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee hearing last week, lawmakers were told there are "chronic" staffing shortages affecting the centers' ability to meet demand for counseling.
The VA said it's working harder to fill open positions sooner.
The VA's latest National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report is the largest national analysis of veteran suicides through 2021. The report, published in November 2023, revealed that 6,392 veterans died by suicide in 2021.
If you are a veteran in a mental health crisis and are thinking about self-harm, call the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.
Read more at: https://www.13newsnow.com/article/n...ents/291-4a1c9bd4-b8d7-4379-a739-29f8ed74beec
 
Top