But is this Texas's fault? City last in VA mental health wait times in US

SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S. — Tue, 21 Jul 2015 09:39:25 -0400

El Paso veterans are waiting nearly 17 days on average for a mental health appointment — more than double the wait of veterans in nearly all other areas of Texas, according to VA data on pending appointments as of July 1.

"We have moved from almost last to last," said U.S. Rep. Beto O'Rourke, D-El Paso. "There really is an unfortunate problem acknowledging the crisis in mental health-care access that the VA has."

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs twice a month releases statistics on pending appointments at all 141 VA areas and the areas' ancillary clinics.

Only 28 areas and El Paso reported average wait times longer than one week for mental health appointments.

http://www.alamogordonews.com/alamogordo-news/ci_28506826/city-last-va-mental-health-wait-times-us

City last in VA mental health wait times in US

EL PASO &GT;&GT; Veterans in the El Paso area have to wait longer for mental health appointments at Veterans Affairs facilities than veterans anywhere else in the country, according to VA statistics.

Response by SGM Steve Wettstein made Jul 21 at 2015 9:45 AM

SGM Steve Wettstein — Tue, 21 Jul 2015 09:45:08 -0400

SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S. that is why I am glad I am retired and have Tricare. Once the referral goes through, making the appointments are on you.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 21 at 2015 9:49 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 21 Jul 2015 09:49:59 -0400

I wonder how much of this is attributable to the fact that FT Bliss has been one of the primary demobilization sites the last decade.

Response by SSgt Alex Robinson made Jul 21 at 2015 11:15 AM

SSgt Alex Robinson — Tue, 21 Jul 2015 11:15:03 -0400

The VA is a disgrace to all who have served. The system must be totally revamped!

Response by CPT Pedro Meza made Jul 21 at 2015 2:59 PM

CPT Pedro Meza — Tue, 21 Jul 2015 14:59:09 -0400

Before judgement can be passed, we need to explore all the contributing factors, population growth, veterans population growth, willing of mental health practitioners selecting to live in that area; cause I wouldn't. You can not blame the VA for what are human decisions.

Response by Rick Wiseman made Jul 21 at 2015 9:42 PM

Rick Wiseman — Tue, 21 Jul 2015 21:42:19 -0400

Chillicothe, Oh has horrendous wait times for almost any appointment. We have one Mental Health Doc (Dr. Brendan Carroll Head of the Outpatient Mental Health) that everyone wants to see and the Director here moves him around at a whim so that we have to wait 6 months or more to see. If the VA there has a Doctor a good as him that pisses off the Director because he wants to helps us like Dr. Carroll does then maybe that's why the wait times are so long....

Response by PO1 John Miller made Jul 23 at 2015 5:55 AM

PO1 John Miller — Thu, 23 Jul 2015 05:55:08 -0400

I'm not sure what the wait times for mental health appointments are like here in Tucson, but I do know that wait times for other appointments are very short, often a couple of days.

Perhaps my favorite crazy bastard SFC Mark Merino might shed some light if he knows anything. (Just kidding Mark, I'm not trying to imply anything)