Veterans Have New Battlefront in America

NAMI advocates have fought for years to gain adequate services for America’s veterans. A new battlefront is emerging. The Department of Veterans’ Affairs has announced a restructuring plan that would affect 13 VA facilities; seven hospitals would be closed.

Moe Armstrong, NAMI board member and leader in national advocacy for veterans’ services said Thursday, "We have a call to action: No closing of VA facilities until it is demonstrated that the money will follow the people into the community. We are not abandoning people to the streets like we did with the public mental health system years ago."

NAMI will be continuing to monitor and unfold the news and policy developments on this critical issue of mental health care for veterans of war. This community within the greater NAMI family is growing daily.

Resources

To read news accounts of current events see these news sources:

• Associated Press News from The New York Times (opens new browser window; may require sign-in)
• The Waco Tribune-Herald where one closure has been announced in Waco, Texas (opens new browser window)

For information from the Veterans Administration:

• CARES Commission The commission whose input affects these decisions

From NAMI: 

• Veterans Issue Spotlight
• Sign up as a recruit in NAMI’s Campaign for the Mind of America! Join the Advocacy Front and get the news when advocacy opportunities occur that empower you to make a difference for persons living with serious mental illnesses and their families.
• Enter your zip code below to send a letter to your representatives on this issue.

Join NAMI today!