NEWS for VETERANS New treatment approved for veterans fighting depression n In March, the Department of Veterans Affairs announced that its providers may now prescribe a new treatment for patients who have treatment-resistant depression. The VA announcement came after the Food and Drug Administration approved the use of Spravato nasal spray, in conjunction with an oral antidepressant, for the treatment of depression in adults who have tried other antidepressant medicines but have not benefited from them—otherwise known as treatment-resistant depression. According to the VA, Spravato will be made available to veterans based on their individual medical needs combined with providers’ clinical assessments. Veterans will stay under the care of VA health care providers who will monitor their patients closely for any adverse effects or potential abuse. Some risks, according to the FDA, include sedation and difficulty with attention, judgment and thinking (dissociation); abuse and misuse; worsening of depression; and suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Veterans in immediate crisis may call the Veterans Crisis Line at 800-273-8255 and press 1, text 838255 or chat online at veteranscrisisline.net/ get-help/chat. For more information on the VA’s mental health program, visit mentalhealth.va.gov. n Lawmakers have reintroduced plans to create a fourth administration under the VA to handle veterans education, transition and employment services. Under the Veterans’ Education, Transition and Opportunity Prioritization Plan (VET OPP) Act of 2019, veteran benefits programs such as the Forever GI Bill, VA’s Home Loan Program and Vocational Rehab would no longer fall under the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA). Rather than VBA—which is currently responsible for all VA benefits outside of health care and cemetery services—transition benefits would fall under a new administration, the Economic Opportunity and Transition Administration. Proponents of the bill say it would allow for more staffing and resources to be allotted to these programs. “DAV proudly supports the VET OPP Act, as it recognizes the value of transition programs by combining DAV | @DAVHQ | DAVHQ | VA considers ‘fourth administration’ to handle transition benefits them into their own administration focused solely on economic utilization and growth,” said Washington Headquarters Executive Director Randy Reese. n Women veterans can now find the resources they’re searching for through text messaging. A new VA text message initiative provides a convenient way for women to connect with the Women Veterans Call Center to discover more information about their VA benefits, health care and other available resources. All representatives at the call center are women—many are veterans themselves—and are able to link callers to available resources. Users can text or chat anonymously at 855-829-6636. For more information about the Women Veterans Call Center, visit www.womenshealth.va.gov/ programoverview/wvcc.asp. DAVETERANS | DISABLEDVETERANS 27 Women Veterans Call Center now available through text COMPANY/DAVHQ |
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New treatment approved for veterans fighting depression
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VA considers ‘fourth administration’ to handle transition benefits
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Women Veterans Call Center now available through text
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