Vet Centers Cited for Failing to Assess Veterans at High Risk for Suicide
As reported February 1 by Linda F. Hersey for Stars and Stripes, Vet Centers are failing to assess and document suicide risks consistently for clients experiencing Post-traumatic Stress Disorder, depression, or military sexual trauma, according to the VA’s Office of Inspector General. “We repeatedly find evidence of noncompliance with many required processes, most notably those for assessing and documenting a veteran suicide risk,” said Julie Kroviak, principal deputy assistant inspector general in the Office of Healthcare Inspections. “Further our teams are finding repeated failures in oversight of staff training and supervision. These deficiencies can have severe consequences.” Kroviak testified Wednesday before a Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs hearing that focused on the ability of Vet Centers to meet the mental health needs of veterans and their families. She talked about the findings from several inspections of the centers.
