integrated care and reducing veteran distress
Effective interventions to treat psychiatric distress, dysfunction, and substance misuse are a must for veterans, a unique population of individuals. However, the human-services system continues to see a number of these individuals who end up homeless, seriously addicted to substances, or in need of immediate psychiatric hospitalization to keep themselves or others from being hurt.
Recent attempts to prevent problems associated with reintegration into civilian life and the trauma associated with combat have taken a different approach. Rather than waiting for the veteran to actively seek help, assessment and intervention are occurring at the sites where veterans are most likely to make regular visits: their primary care facility.
This integrated care approach to intervention has had some success. Based on your readings this week:
- Identify the role of the human-services provider in this intervention.
- Argue how this intervention versus other interventions is more applicable with this population. Include a discussion of this population’s unique needs and barriers to receiving care.
- Discuss any modifications to the intervention that might make it more effective in reducing high-risk behavior and improve veteran quality of life.
