Kevlar for the Mind: Debunking VA mental health care myths - Off Duty, Military Health and Fitness - Navy Times

Kevlar for the Mind: Debunking VA mental health care myths

Q: I left active duty about three months ago. Since then, I’ve been feeling down, having problems sleeping and thinking about things that happened in Afghanistan that I wish I could forget. My brother told me to contact the local VA clinic for help. To be honest, I have heard negative things about the Veterans Affairs Department and I am reluctant to call.

I have seen reluctance to seek mental health care in both civilian and military worlds, often fueled by distorted beliefs such as “strangers don’t care about my situation” and “others will find out what I say to my therapist.” I have also seen inefficiencies, administrative snafus and the negative experiences of a relatively small number of patients — common to all health care organizations — contribute to negative perceptions. The Veterans Affairs Department’s reputation has suffered because of the latter.

Some more common misperceptions veterans have about VA:

• My information will not be kept confidential. VA is bound by ethical and legal responsibilities just like any other health care organization. Except for a few exceptions — the same that affect any civilian therapist — your health care information is kept confidential.

• The VA therapist can’t understand what I went through. Many VA therapists are veterans themselves. Of those who aren’t, many have many years of experience working with veterans.

• The VA provides shoddy care. Many VA hospitals are considered the crème de la crème of health care organizations. They are involved in cutting-edge research and provide state-of-the-art treatments. Most, if not all, VA therapists are trained in the latest evidence-based treatments for mental health disorders.

• They’ll think I’m faking to get disability compensation. The disability compensation process is separate from the treatment process. Yes, your therapist will know whether you are eligible for a service-connected psychiatric disability, but this should have no bearing on the level of care you receive. If you feel it does, you need to find a new therapist.

Based on my work with many VA mental health professionals — and on my own personal experience of talking with a VA therapist after my second deployment — I believe the VA mental health care system is a competent and caring one. Although the system is by no means perfect, it employs some of the best and brightest therapists, provides the most effective treatments available and doesn’t set limits on how much care a person needs. But don’t take my word for it: Find out for yourself.

Bret A. Moore is a clinical psychologist who served two tours in Iraq and is the author of “Wheels Down: Adjusting to Life after Deployment.” E-mail kevlarforthemind@militarytimes.com. Names and identifying details will be kept confidential. This column is for informational purposes only. Readers should see a mental health professional or physician for mental health problems.