Thank you, Rachel Looker, for the opportunity to discuss the reality of working through the tough challenges facing VA leaders. SECVA McDonough deserves kudos. It’s possibly the most challenging job in DC. Despite his many successes, and there are many, I worry he is missing his opportunity to be the Secretary who genuinely turns the ship on veterans' wellness in America.
Despite twenty years of ineffectual traditional suicide prevention efforts that have plagued every Post 9/11 SECVA, McDonough faces a pivotal choice: to spend limited resources on an attempt at significantly transforming the VA into a more effective, cost-efficient wellness hub that actively supports veterans and their families, or to continue the status quo of investing in the expensive (16+ billion), clinical, pharmaceutical, anti-suicide campaign approach that has not succeeded by the one measure that matters most: veterans' suicide ratio over time. To truly save lives, the era of "VA's Number 1 Clinical Priority" being a byword for insufficient action must end, along with the outdated and disheartening public messaging.
The focus must pivot to a comprehensive initiative that empowers, educates, and celebrates veterans—from the newly discharged to our most experienced heroes—emphasizing their invaluable contributions to society. Such an approach promises more than just survival; it aims to enrich veterans' lives and, by extension, the fabric of our communities.
Emergency clinical support remains essential, though more effective and alternative approaches should both be scaled and provided first for those in our community who are struggling with non-clinical emergency trauma. Nonetheless, our community narrative on this issue needs to change. Positive messaging, effective training, and highlighting veterans' achievements post-service can redefine public perception and veterans' self-image, steering the conversation toward their potential, value, and accomplishments and away from self-harm.
#veterans #mentalwellness #veteranshelpingveterans #mentalhealth
Nimitz Group CEO, Justin Brown, delves into key VA topics with USA TODAY’s Rachel Looker, discussing veteran suicide and community building under Secretary Denis McDonough. Check out the full article at the link below!
Watch the full interview at: https://lnkd.in/eqm5dS8Z
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1moThank you so much, NAMI St. Louis, for welcomimg me as a new board member! I am incredibly grateful to be part of a supportive community that supports individuals and families facing mental health challenges. Thank you NAMI St. Louis! 💚