A report issued by the Department of Veterans Affairs today states that approximately 5000 veterans will commit suicide this year, largely because the VA lacks widely available 24-hour care.
Examining its 1,400 clinics, inspectors found that many clinics lacked properly trained staff, did not provide 24-hour services and provided inadequate mental health screening.
Noting high rates of post-traumatic stress disorder, the report advised that Veterans Health Administration facilities provide 24-hour crisis and mental health care by trained staff. The report also recommended removing the requirement of sustained sobriety for inpatient PTSD treatment and additional suicide training for both clinical and non-clinical staff,
Read more: Report: Vets Mental Health Treatment Poor