VA Providence Healthcare System
Safe Mental Health Care During the COVID-19 Outbreak
April 30, 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 30, 2020
VA Providence Healthcare System
830 Chalkstone Ave
Providence, RI 02908
Contact:
Winfield S. Danielson III
401-479-1703
winfield.danielsoniii@va.gov
Safe Mental Health Care During the COVID-19 Outbreak
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and the VA Providence Healthcare System remains committed to providing high-quality mental health care and addiction treatment while keeping Veterans safe from exposure to the coronavirus.
"Through VA's virtual care tools, we can use existing telehealth technology to help ensure our patients and staff are as safe as possible, while still providing the care our Veterans need during this difficult time," said Dr. Robert Swift, chief of the VA Providence Mental Health Service.
VA offers Veterans a variety of care-at-home resources, which include…
Telephone or Video Appointments – Many Veterans will be able to maintain their existing mental health appointments and may receive care at home using VA Video Connect on their computers, smartphones or tablets. Veterans who are not currently receiving mental health or addiction care through VA can set up a telehealth appointment for an evaluation. To set up telephone or video appointments, Veterans can call the VA Providence Mental Health Service at 401-273-7100, ext. 3400, or send their provider a secure message on My HealtheVet by visiting https://www.myhealth.va.gov/. Veterans can learn more about VA Video Connect at https://www.mobile.va.gov/app/va-video-connect.
Prescription Refills – Veterans should continue taking all medications as prescribed and talk to their mental health provider if they have any concerns. Veterans can request prescription refills and order shipments of medications to their homes by calling the Pharmacy Call Center at 866-400-1241, mailing in their prescription refill slips, or through My HealtheVet or the VA Rx Refill mobile app, which can be downloaded at https://www.mobile.va.gov/app/rx-refill.
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. Information about managing stress and anxiety, as well as mental health resources, are available at https://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/coronavirus/.
Text Message Reminders – Veterans can use Annie's Coronavirus Precautions protocol to send 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 https://www.mobile.va.gov/app/annie-app-veterans.
Make the Connection – 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 always visit https://maketheconnection.net/mhm to learn more about mental health resources and hear stories of recovery from other Veterans.
Any Veteran in crisis – even if not eligible for VA health care – and their loved ones can call 1-800-273-8255 and press 1 to reach the Veterans Crisis Line – confidential support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. They can also text the Veterans Crisis Line at 838255 or chat online at https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/.
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