VA Illiana Health Care System is reminding Veterans about Mental Health
Services available to support them during the COVID-19 outbreak. The VA
issued the following news release about it Thursday:
May is Mental Health Awareness Month. VA Illiana Health Care
System (VAIHCS) remains 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, VAIHCS encourages Veterans to use VA’s online
resources for routine or non-urgent mental health care and questions. This will help
protect Veterans from potentially exposing themselves to COVID-19 while continuing
to engage in their treatment.
“Due to COVID-19 precautionary measures, and out of concern for our local
Veterans, we are honoring current physical distancing guidelines,” said Shawn
Bransky, medical center director at VAIHCS. “Through VA’s virtual care tools, we are
able to leverage available 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 keep their existing mental
health appointments, which they can receive while at home, using VA Video
Connect on their computers, smartphones, or tablets. Telephone appointments may
also be an option. To set up telephone or VA Video Connect appointment, Veterans
can contact the clinic or 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.
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 improve 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 a new program called Annie’s
Coronavirus Precautions protocol to send automated text messages with information
about COVID-19. This application helps Veterans monitor their symptoms and can
assist those who need 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.
Veteran Phone Outreach Program – Veterans who are lonely or struggling during
this time can sign up to be called by a Mental Health team member on a regular
basis. Contact your Mental Health provider or the Mental Health Service at (217)
554-4529, providing the full name and phone number and ask to be added to the
Veteran Phone Outreach Program.
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.
