The VA Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System is holding its first ever Mental Health Summit on Friday at the Lincoln VA.
Linda Twomey is the Director of Mental Health Specialty Programs at the VA. She says this summit is part of a national initiative, and all 137 VA’s will be hosting Mental Health Summits this week.
Twomey says the VA recognized that it was necessary to expand partnerships with community providers to better meet the diverse needs of the veterans the VA serves.
She says the summit also lets people know what they do at the VA.
"This will give a look into some of the therapies that we provide that are specific to PTSD and other military traumas. We are going to spend some time talking about geriatric care and how it’s a challenge for us. We will also talk about how we can collaborate better through discharge planning and hand offs with other community partners.”
Twomey says more than 100 community agencies will take part in the Mental Health Summit, including the At Ease Program through Lutheran Family Services, the Lincoln Regional Center and the National Military Family Association.
Details are available by calling 402-346-8800.
The Mental Health Summit takes place from 9:00 to 3:30 on Friday at the Lincoln VA.