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Veterans face long waits as about 17 die by suicide daily
Summary
About 17 veterans die by suicide each day, and officials report veterans wait an average of 17 days for a first mental health appointment.
Content
About 17 veterans die by suicide each day, a figure officials say has remained steady for roughly two decades. At the same time, the article reports veterans wait an average of 17 days to see a mental health professional for the first time. VA leaders noted large funding packages and prevention programs exist, but said system and scheduling problems limit timely access. The piece describes electronic records and appointment systems that do not communicate across VA locations and community providers, creating delays when veterans seek care.
Reported details:
- Approximately 17 veterans are reported to die by suicide each day, a number described as unchanged for years.
- Veterans are reported to wait an average of 17 days for a first mental health appointment.
- The article notes a recent VA funding bill of $133 billion that included $698 million for suicide prevention outreach, but officials say infrastructure gaps remain.
- The VA’s electronic records and scheduling systems are reported as not fully interoperable across facilities and community providers, which can leave available appointments unseen or unused.
Summary:
Officials quoted in the article say the persistent suicide rate and reported appointment delays reflect gaps in scheduling and record systems rather than a lack of funding. Leaders described modernization and better network coordination as necessary to improve timely access to care. Undetermined at this time.