VA Pacific Islands Health Care System
Safe Mental Health Care During the COVID-19 Outbreak
April 23, 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 23, 2020
Safe Mental Health Care During the COVID-19 Outbreak
VA Encourages Veterans To Access VA Mental Health Support From Home
HONOLULU, HI– May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Now more than ever, VA Pacific Islands Health Care System (VAPIHCS) is committed to providing high-quality mental health care while keeping Veterans safe from exposure to the coronavirus.
To help reduce the risk of infection at the facility, VAPIHCS asks that Veterans use VA’s online resources for routine or non-urgent mental health care and questions. This will help protect Veterans from contracting COVID-19 while enabling providers at VAPIHCS to focus on care for Veterans with the most acute needs.
Wearing a mask in public is the latest guidance from government and health officials. In support of Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell’s recommendation that all residents wear a cloth mask when leaving home, we will now ask that all Veterans and their medical attendants arrive to their appointments with a mask on. This guidance comes as we learn more about how the coronavirus can be carried through people who appear asymptomatic. By arriving to our facilities with a mask on, you are helping prevent unnecessary and unknown exposures to our staff and your fellow Veterans.
“Due to COVID-19 precautionary measures, and out of concern for our Veterans, we are honoring physical distancing guidelines,” said Dr. Kathryn Ryder, Acting Director at VAPIHCS, “Through VA’s virtual care tools, we are able to leverage technology to make sure that our patients and staff are as safe as possible during this time.”
VA offers Veterans a variety of at-home resources, including the following:
Telephone or Video Appointments – Veterans should maintain their existing mental health appointments — and may receive care at home — using VA Video Connect on their computers, smartphones, or tablets. To set up telephone or video appointments, Veterans can send their health care provider a secure message on My HealtheVet by visiting myhealth.va.gov.
Veterans can learn more about VA Video Connect at mobile.va.gov/app/va-video-connect or 1 (800) 214-1306.
Prescription Refills and Safety – Veterans should continue taking all medications as prescribed and talk to their mental health provider if they have any concerns. Veterans may request prescription refills and order shipments of medications to their homes using My HealtheVet or the Rx Refill mobile app, which can be downloaded at mobile.va.gov/app/rx-refill. VA’s Safe Home Environment handout provides information on safely storing medications in the home.
Mental Health Information and Resources – VA provides information on ways for Veterans and their families to maintain and enhance their mental health and well-being during the COVID-19 outbreak. Information about managing stress and anxiety, as well as mental health resources, are available at www.mentalhealth.va.gov/coronavirus/resources.
Text Message Reminders – Veterans can use Annie’s Coronavirus Precautions protocol to receive automated text messages with information about COVID-19. This application helps Veterans monitor their symptoms and enables Veterans to contact their VA facility for care. Veterans may enroll in the app at mobile.va.gov/annie.
Mental Health Month – This May, VA is observing Mental Health Month by emphasizing that “Now Is the Time.” Even during the coronavirus outbreak, Veterans can still prioritize their mental health. Veterans and their families can visit www.MakeTheConnection.net/MHM to learn more about mental health resources and hear stories of recovery from other Veterans.
For more information on ways for Veterans to maintain and enhance their mental health and well-being during the COVID-19 outbreak, visit www.mentalhealth.va.gov/coronavirus.
