On Monday December 9, the Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center in Charleston unveiled its new PTSD Mental Health Addiction Research Center. The $10 million state-of-the-art research center will be used to help scientists as they continue clinical research efforts for military veterans with mental health issues. The VA facility works with approximately 60,000 patients each year – roughly 20,000 of which have mental health needs.
According to officials from the Medical Center, a majority of the veterans who require mental health services are Vietnam-era vets. Many of these vets struggle with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a type of anxiety disorder common among individuals who have been through extreme emotional trauma. A large percentage of veterans – including those from the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq – also suffer from PTSD due to their military service, according to IAVA.
The new PTSD Research Center is a 16,000 sq. foot addition to the existing facility, and will house 27 therapy rooms and 5 science labs. It will also feature tele-mental health counseling, which allows veterans to receive treatment online from their homes via computers.
Mental Health Needs & Veterans Benefits
According to a 2012 study from the Department of Veterans Affairs ( VA), more and more veterans are receiving mental health treatment. This is due in part to a better understanding of mental health issues common among service members and better availability of resources. For example, 927,000 veterans received specialized mental health treatment from the VA in 2006, according to the Associated Press. In 2013, that number increased to 1.4 million.
Here at George Sink, P.A. Injury Lawyers, we are thrilled about the opening of the new PTSD Research Center in Charleston, as it will provide much needed services to veterans across the state. Veterans who have mental health needs as a result of their military service have a right to receive these services, as well as veterans benefits.
Attorney George Sink – a disabled Vietnam Veteran himself – and our entire legal team are passionate about helping vets throughout the state secure the compensation and benefits they deserve! We’re available to help veterans with all types of mental disabilities, including PTSD. Mental disabilities must be:
- Service-connected
- Preventing veterans from working; and
- Have not been rated at 100%
If you have questions about receiving veterans benefits for PTSD or any other qualifying mental disorder, contact our firm for a FREE case review.