Veterans can access VA mental health support from home
May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Now more than ever, the Wilmington Veteran Affairs Medical Center is committed to providing timely, high-quality mental health care while keeping veterans safe from exposure to the coronavirus.
To help reduce community spread and to promote veterans’ safety and well-being, the Wilmington VA Medical Center asks them to continue to use VA’s online resources for routine or non-emergent mental health care and questions. Virtual care models are safe and effective ways to offer mental health services, and virtual care will continue to be an important tool into the future. Anyone who has not participated in VA virtual care platforms may call for assistance.
“Due to COVID-19 precautionary measures, and out of concern for our local veterans, we are honoring current physical distancing guidelines,” said Tori Moskovciak, PsyD, health behavior coordinator at Wilmington VA Medical Center. “Through VA’s virtual care tools, we are able to leverage available technology to make sure that our patients and staff are as safe as possible during this time.”
Veterans should maintain their existing mental health appointments, and may receive care at home. VA offers veterans a variety of at-home resources, including: telephone or video appointments using VA video connect on their computers, smartphones or tablets. To set up telephone or video appointments, veterans can send their healthcare provider a secure message on My HealtheVet by going to www.myhealth.va.gov. Veterans can learn more about VA video connect at www.mobile.va.gov/app/va-video-connect.
Regarding prescription refills and safety, veterans should continue taking all medications as prescribed and talk to their mental health provider if they have any concerns. Veterans may request prescription refills and order shipments of medications to their homes using My HealtheVet or the Rx Refill mobile app, which can be downloaded at www.mobile.va.gov/app/rx-refill. VA’s Safe Home Environment handout provides information on safely storing medications in the home.
For mental health information and resources, VA provides information on ways for veterans and their families to maintain and enhance their mental health and well-being during the COVID-19 outbreak. For information about managing stress and anxiety, as well as mental health resources, go to www.mentalhealth.va.gov/coronavirus/resources.
Veterans can use Annie’s Coronavirus Precautions protocol to receive automated text messages with information about COVID-19. This application helps veterans monitor their symptoms and can assist those who need to contact their VA facility for care. Veterans may enroll in the app at www.mobile.va.gov/annie.
This May, VA is observing Mental Health Month by emphasizing that Now Is the Time. Even during the coronavirus outbreak, veterans can still prioritize their mental health. Veterans and their families can go to www.MakeTheConnection.net/MHM to learn about mental health resources and hear stories of recovery from other veterans.
To learn about Wilmington VA Medical Center’s current virtual wellness offerings, call Dr. Tori Moskovciak at 302-994-2511, Ext. 4662.
Veterans wanting to connect with a mental health provider can call the Wilmington VA Medical Center behavioral health staff at 302-994-2511, Ext. 5311.
Veterans in crisis can call the Veteran Crisis Line at 1-800-273-8255 and press 1.
For more information on ways for veterans to maintain and enhance their mental health and well-being during the COVID-19 outbreak, go to www.mentalhealth.va.gov/coronavirus.
