Veterans can get free mental health crisis care to prevent suicide starting Tuesday

Veterans who are in suicidal crisis will be able to get free emergency treatment at any VA or non-VA health care facility beginning Tuesday.

That includes inpatient or crisis residential care for up to 30 days, and outpatient care for up to 90 days as needed, the VA announced Friday. Veterans don’t have to be enrolled in the VA system to use the benefit.

The free care is part of the VA’s ongoing efforts to reduce suicide among veterans, whose suicide rates are higher than the general population nationwide.

In North Carolina, 7.9% of the population — nearly 642,000 people in 2019 — are veterans, according to demographers at UNC. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs reports that in 2020, 199 veterans in North Carolina took their own lives, resulting in a significantly higher suicide rate among veterans compared to the state’s general population.

However, the VA reports that in 2020, the rate of veteran suicide dropped slightly for the second year in a row.

‘Top clinical priority’

“Preventing Veteran suicide is VA’s top clinical priority and a top priority of the Biden-Harris Administration,” the VA said in a news release announcing the free care.

“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,” VA Secretary for Veterans Affairs Denis McDonough said in the release. “This expansion of care will save Veterans’ lives, and there’s nothing more important than that.”

With the change that takes effect Jan. 17, the release said, the VA will:

Provide, pay for or reimburse for treatment of eligible individuals’ emergency suicide care, transportation costs, and follow-up care at a VA or non-VA facility for up to 30 days of inpatient care and 90 days of outpatient care.

Make appropriate referrals for care following the period of emergency suicide care.

Determine eligibility for other VA services and benefits.

Refer eligible individuals for appropriate VA programs and benefits following the period of emergency suicide care.

Services will be provided to:

Veterans who were discharged or released from active duty after more than 24 months of active service under conditions other than dishonorable.

Former members of the armed forces, including reserve service members, who served more than 100 days under a combat exclusion or in support of a contingency operation either directly or by operating an unmanned aerial vehicle from another location who were discharged under conditions other than dishonorable.

Former members of the armed forces who were the victim of a physical assault of a sexual nature, a battery of a sexual nature or sexual harassment while serving in the armed forces.

Veterans also can use the national suicide prevention hotline by dialing 988 (then press 1) to connect with crisis support. In North Carolina, callers usually are connected with in-state counselors who have information about local resources.

The VA operates the largest health-care system in the world, and has facilities across North Carolina, including the Durham VA Medical Center, the Fayetteville VA Medical Center and the Charles George VA Medical Center in Asheville.

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