Shinseki Cites Support in Mental Care

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Shinseki Cites Support in Mental Care
October 28, 2009
Air Force Print News|by SFC Michael J. Carden

Psychological war wounds are nothing new to servicemembers, but the support of the nation to care for their injuries, until recent years, was somewhat uncharted territory.

The departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs are committed to advancing that care because it's the right thing to do as a nation, VA Secretary Eric K. Shinseki said when he and Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates launched a joint national mental health summit here.

Improving mental health care has become a top priority for both departments, which have made great strides in mental health research, treatment and overall care, respectively. And through this week's summit, they hope to advance their expertise and resources even further.

"Our collaboration with is mission-critical, because we share the same clients, the same population, at different stages in their lives," Secretary Shinseki said. "There can be no 'seamless transition' or 'continuum of care' without serious and high-quality collaboration between both departments."

The first-of-its-kind summit continues through Oct. 29. Secretary Shinseki said he hopes the gathering of more than 200 defense and VA health care professionals will advance both organizations' understanding and spark positive communication in their joint efforts.


Rest of article at: http://www.military.com/news/article/air-force-news/shinseki-cites-support-in-mental-care.html