This story talks about mental health and suicide. If you or another veteran you know needs help, you can call or text 988. For more resources, click here.
MILWAUKEE — Mental health is top of mind when it comes to care at Milwaukee Veteran Affairs.
They’re one of many VA facilities expanding mental health coverage for veterans and making it free as a part of the Veterans Comprehensive Prevention, Access to Care, and Treatment Act (COMPACT Act) of 2020.
Up to 9 million veterans across the U.S. will now gain more access to mental health care when in crisis.
The change began on Jan. 17, 2023, which means veterans in acute suicidal crisis will be able to go to any veteran affairs or non-VA health care facility for emergency health care at no cost.
It’s care veteran Samuel Lovdahl is no stranger to.
Lovdahl is a proud Wisconsin National Guard veteran, spending many years in the Guard and Reserves. He said his life of service means everything to him.
“It’s everything. It’s changed the way I look at life. It’s changed the way I hold myself. It’s changed a lot of things about myself,” Lovdahl said.
However, things weren’t always bright for him once he got out. He fell into depression and tried to take his life twice.
It was during the second time he attempted to take his life that he realized he needed help.
“I take it as a sign from God. I looked up and said, ‘Ok, I hear you, I see what you got. You’re not done with me yet,’” Lovdahl said.
Soon after he realized he needed help, he was enrolled in mental health care with the Milwaukee VA. Lovdahl said their care and his hard work is what has carried him through to today.
“The outpatient therapy, the group therapy that I went through, gave me the tools, gave me the confidence to talk to strangers with the openness that I needed,” Lovdahl said.
This is the type of care the VA is expanding nationally to millions of veterans.
For Dr. Michael McBride, recovery coordinator and psychiatrist with the Milwaukee VA, hearing this news means more veterans can come through the doors to receive care.
“If we can get them into care, we know that can reduce their risk of dying from suicide. The data is out there, so it’s really engaging veterans and giving them a chance to work on their issues and improve their health,” McBride said.
Dr. Bertrand Berger is the mental health division manager at the Milwaukee VA. Berger said there is a big need for care in Wisconsin and believes this act will help save more lives.
“Having something that someone can get care so quickly and not worrying about figuring out if they have insurance or whatever, that can lead to them giving up. This will lead to veterans getting care that much more quickly,” Berger said.
The hope is that veterans will see how much easier it is to get help and seek care when needed.
“For any veteran that may see this, always remember you are not alone. I have been there before,” Lovdahl said.
Expanded access to care includes inpatient or crisis residential care for up to 30 days and outpatient care for up to 90 days. Veterans who wish to use this benefit also do not need to be enrolled in the VA system to have access.
For more details on this new effort, click here.