The Veterans Mental Health Council, a group of Veterans who are mental health care consumers, and leadership of the Coatesville Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center announced plans to reach out to and assist veterans in accessing VA mental health care services. The Veterans Mental Health Council will provide input to VA leadership regarding local mental health structures and operations, and will outreach to Veterans to create more awareness of VA mental health programs.
“We are Veterans who have walked thousands of clicks in boots similar to your own,” said Council Chair and Veteran James Casper, to other veterans. “We’ve humped the jungles and rice paddies of Vietnam; we’ve landed in hot LZs; we’ve experienced the battles of Hue City and Khe Sahn in Vietnam, Mosul and Fallujah in Iraq to the Helmund Province and Korengal Valley in Afghanistan.”
The Mental Health Council works in collaboration with the Coatesville VA Medical Center, but the council is entirely staffed by Veterans. Currently, there are four members on the council, with several open spots needing to be filled. The Veterans Mental Health Council (VMHC) was formed in January 2015 and is part of a nationwide VA initiative.
Currently, there are 110 facility level councils across the nation. Members of VA Veterans Mental Health Councils generally include Veterans who have received or are receiving mental health care services. A council may also include representatives from community mental health agencies such as the National Alliance on Mental Illness or the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance, Veteran Service Organizations, local community employment and housing representatives. The local VA recovery coordinator acts as the liaison between the Veterans Mental Health Council and the VA Medical Center.
“Some Veterans need help readjusting back to life after serving in the armed forces,” said Dr. Jenna Mercandante, Recovery Coordinator at the Coatesville VA Medical Center. “Mental Health care is an important component of overall wellness, healing, and moving forward. The Veterans Mental Health Council is a group of Veterans who understand these struggles and are dedicated to helping other Veterans access the VA mental health services that meet their needs.”
The Coatesville VA Medical Center provides residential, inpatient and outpatient mental health care programs for men and women Veterans. For more information on mental health services or the Veterans Mental Health Council please contact Coatesville Veterans Affairs Medical Center at 610-384-7711 extension 2252. Veterans can get involved with the Veterans Mental Health Council by contacting them directly at CoatesvilleMHAC@gmail.com.
