“The Department of Veterans Affairs is increasing virtual mental health services and ways for veterans to stay connected as in-person care is reduced to blunt the spread of the coronavirus.”
“One such example: The department announced a new deal with Facebook on Wednesday to provide 7,400 Portal video devices to qualifying veterans and caregivers.”
“The deal aims to ‘reduce isolation and improve social connectedness’ by connecting veterans with family caregivers and other veterans through the video conferencing devices, according to a VA news release. The Red Cross will ship the devices to veterans and family caregivers…”
“The news comes as the VA has held more than 2,700 telehealth group therapy sessions in March, up more than 200 percent from February. Similarly, mental health care consultations done over the phone increased by 280 percent to 154,000 appointments in March, according to a VA news release.”
“Overall, the VA’s health care services have been strained by the need to care for veterans with COVID-19. But the VA Video Connect application allows medical providers to connect remotely with patients from anywhere there is an internet connection.” Read the full article here.
Source: VA inks deal with Facebook, increases video services for virtual mental health care – By Jackson Barnett, April 15, 2020. FedScoop.
