Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Rep. Mitchell Question Why VA Stopped Successful Outreach to Suicidal Veterans

Full Article at: CBS News Reports Cited in Veterans Hearing
By Chris Ariens on Jul 14, 2010 03:40 PM

Rep. Harry Mitchell (D-AZ) is calling on the Department of Veterans Affairs to explain why the VA has stopped airing a PSA which has helped raise awareness of the veteran suicide prevention hotline.

Rep. Mitchell chaired a hearing on Capitol Hill today examining the VA's suicide prevention outreach efforts.

In his press release following the hearing (after the jump), Mitchell cites two reports from CBS News correspondent Armen Keteyian. The first in late 2007 documented the alarming rate of veteran suicides. Another, in July, 2008, about the launch of the PSA, featuring actor Gary Sinise, which was part of a three-month test to determine its effectiveness.

Mitchell to VA: Why Has Successful Suicide Prevention Outreach Stopped?

Urges VA to Continue to Reach out to Veterans at Risk of Suicide

WASHINGTON - U.S. House Veterans' Affairs Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee Chairman Harry Mitchell today called on the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) officials to explain why the VA has stopped airing a successful public service announcement (PSA) which has helped raise awareness of the veteran suicide prevention hotline and saved lives.

As of April 2010, the VA has reported nearly 7,000 rescues of actively suicidal veterans, which were attributed to seeing the ads, PSAs, or promotional products. Additionally, referrals to VA mental health services increased. However, late last year, the VA told Mitchell that, despite the success, the PSAs had stopped airing [Source: Congressional Inquiry, March 2010]

The nationwide expansion of the VA's public campaign has demonstrated significant preliminary success. In testimony delivered at todayĆ¢€™s hearing, the VA reported that, in Phoenix, for example, the VA saw a 234 percent increase in calls from the Phoenix metropolitan area within 30 days of the start of its local media outreach campaign. [Source: Statement of Robert Jesse, M.D., Ph.D., July 14, 2010]

Filing Protective NOA Veterans Court, Board Reconsideration, Fithian v. Shinseki, No. 08-3077

It is of most importance that Veterans appealing a BVA[Board] decision file an appeal with the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims[Veterans Court] within 120days of the Board decision. This is true even if you are wanting a reconsideration of the Board decision and file such a reconsideration motion.

Why this is important is as the Secretary made clear in oral argument in Fithian, No. 08-3077 July 13, 2010 that a reconsideration motion filed with the BoardDOES NOT toll the 120 days within which an appeal must be filed, despite the fact that information [notices] sent with Board decisions are not clear on this matter.

The court expressed a great deal of concern over this position but has yet to issue a ruling and the Secretary is seeing a full court hearing on this issue.

This also appears to be one of the issues being considered by the Supreme Court in Henderson v. Shinseki, No.2009-7006.

So, bottom line file a appeal [NOA] with the Veterans Court after you receive a Board Decision, you can always withdraw it if the Board grants a reconsideration, Better to be safe than Lose Out.

23% Female Veterans Seeking Help at VA Report Military Sexual Trauma

Full Article at: Military Sexual Trauma

Mike Mitka

JAMA. 2010;304(2):148. doi:10.1001/jama.2010.878


Since this article does not have an abstract, we have provided the first 150 words of the full text and any section headings.


A May 20 hearing of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs focused on the needs of veterans affected by military sexual trauma and how the Veterans Benefits Administration, Veterans Health Administration, and the Department of Defense can identify ways to better prevent, treat, and properly compensate these veterans. According to testimony presented at the hearing, 23% of female users of the Veterans Affairs (VA) health care system reported having experienced sexual assault while in the military.

"Veterans should be able to have access to treatment facilities and qualified staff with care and benefits delivered by employees who are properly trained to be sensitive to [military sexual trauma] related issues," said Rep John Hall (D, NY), co-chairman of the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs, in a release."