The VA Illiana Health Care System is reminding veterans that local services are available for those who might feel they need mental health counseling. Dr. Stephanie Holt, a Clinical Psychologist, discussed those services on WDAN Radio’s News Makers program Tuesday.
Dr. Holt says that over the past five years or so she has noticed more Vietnam-Era Veterans who are coming in for help. ”Because it’s been the retirement age for a lot of those folks,” said Dr. Holt. ”And they kind of kept their nose to the grind for 35, 40 years working – and they retired and kind of realized that some of their symptoms were overwhelming. And so that’s when they come and see us and we have a great opportunity to work with these folks who maybe felt hopeless for a really long time. And they can invest the time because they are retired,” said Dr. Holt, ”and we can get them the treatment they need to really have some pretty significant improvements in their life.”
Dr. Holt added there are a number of ways that Veterans can seek mental health services. ”You can walk into the Mental Health Clinic and get an appointment through the Out-Patient Clinic, which treats all general areas of mental health…depression, anxiety, relational issues. Pretty much you name it – they can treat it…”.
Dr. Holt added Veterans who feel they might need help should not be afraid to get it. ”We want to make sure that everyone knows that you don’t have to get to your worst point to seek help. We’d rather you not, actually,” said Dr. Holt. ”If you start feeling that you need some help – come see us, and we’ll definitely help you come up with a plan that works best for your individual needs.
Veterans who may want to make an appointment for mental health services can do so through their primary care provider. Or they can call the VA Illiana Health Care System at (217) 554-3000 – extension 45794.
[Photo is of Dr. Holt (in foreground) and VA Public Affairs Officer Todd Oliver, who was also on the program.]
