Program provides mental health care to veterans

Larimer County is urging veterans to take advantage of a new program that provides health care for any veteran facing mental health issues and acute suicide crises.

The program, which took effect in January, allows veterans to receive inpatient and crisis residential care for up to 30 days and outpatient care for up to 90 days at no cost from any Veterans Administration or non-va health-care facility.

“For far too many veterans, suicide is not an abstraction. Most of us have lost brothers and sisters-in-arms,” said Larimer County Veteran Services Officer Lee Cooper in a statement.

“The VA is working to address the issue, but the fact is that friends, family, neighbors, co-workers and other members of our community are much better positioned to make that critical difference. The community needs to know that local resources are available to help.”

The program also will make referrals to veterans following the period of emergency suicide prevention care.

Suicide rates among veterans are approximately 10% higher than the average for the rest of the population, according to a Veterans Administration’s Veteran Suicide Prevention Report released in 2022.

However, that report also found that veteran suicides decreased in 2020 for the second year in a row, and that fewer veterans died by suicide in 2020 than in any year since 2006.

“Veterans in suicidal crisis can now receive the free, world-class emergency health care they deserve — no matter where they need it, when they need it, or whether they’re enrolled in VA care,” said VA Secretary for Veterans Affairs Denis Mcdonough in a statement when the new program was established. “This expansion of care will save veterans’ lives, and there’s nothing more important than that.”

Anyone in crisis, or anyone concerned about another who might be in crisis, is encouraged to call the veterans’ crisis line at 988, then press 1, or text 838255.