Attention A T users. To access the menus on this page please perform the following steps. 1. Please switch auto forms mode to off. 2. Hit enter to expand a main menu option (Health, Benefits, etc). 3. To enter and activate the submenu links, hit the down arrow. You will now be able to tab or arrow up or down through the submenu options to access/activate the submenu links.

MIRECC / CoE

Menu
Menu
Quick Links
Veterans Crisis Line Badge
My healthevet badge
 

2016 VISN 20 MIRECC Staff Research Articles and Presentations

VISN 20 MIRECC Staff Research Articles and Presentations

The findings of NW MIRECC research are disseminated through MIRECC Presents, lectures and presentations, and publications. Below is a list of publications and presentations by VISN 20 NW MIRECC researchers and fellowship program faculty that were published in 2016. 

Barnett, P. G., Jeffers, A., Smith, M. W., Chow, B. K., McFall, M. E., & Saxon, A. J. (2016). Cost-effectiveness of
integrating tobacco cessation into Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder treatment. Nicotine & Tobacco Research, 18(3), 267-74. doi: 10.1093/ntr/ntv094

Blackie, L., Roepke, A., Hitchcott, N., & Joseph, S. (2016). Can people experience posttraumatic growth after committing
violent acts? Peace and Conflict: Journal of Peace Psychology, 22(4), 409-412. doi:10.1037/pac0000218

Boehnlein, J., & Hinton, D. E. (2016). From Shell Shock to Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Traumatic Brain Injury:
A historical perspective on responses to combat trauma. In D. E. Hinton, & B. J. Good (Eds.), Culture and PTSD: Trauma in Global and Historical Perspective (pp. 100 - 101). Philadelphia, PA: University of Pennsylvania Press. (Full chapter not available for download)

Caska-Wallace, C., Katon, J., Lehavot, K., McGinn, M., & Simpson, T. L. (2016). Posttraumatic Stress Disorder symptom
severity and relationship functioning among partnered heterosexual and lesbian women veterans. LGBT Health, 3(3), 186-192. doi:10.1089/lgbt.2015.0097

Cubells, J. F., Schroeder, J. P., Barrie, E. S., Sadee, W., Berg, T., Mercer, K., … & Weinshenker, D. (2016). Human
bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) transgenesis fully rescues noradrenergic function in dopamine-hydroxylase knockout mice. PlosOne, 11(5), e0154864.

Daniels, L. R., Boehnlein, J., & McCallion, P. (2016). The role of reminiscence and life review in healthy aging.
In D. B. Kaplan, & B. Berkman (Eds.), Handbook of Social Work in Health and Aging (pp. 100 - 101). New York, NY: Oxford University Press. (Full chapter not available for download)

Dedert, E., Resick, P. A., McFall, M. E., Dennis, P., Olsen, M., & Beckham, J. (2016). Pilot cases of combined cognitive
processing therapy and smoking cessation for smokers with posttraumatic stress disorder. Behavior Therapy, 47(1), 54-65. doi:10.1016/j.beth.2015.09.002

Del Razo, M., Morofuji, Y., Meabon, J., Huber, B., Peskind, E. R., Banks, W., … & Cook, D. G. (2016). Computational
and in vitro studies of blast-induced blood-brain barrier disruption. SIAM Journal on Scientific Computing, 38(3), B347-B374. doi:10.1137/15M1010750

Denneson, L., Kovas, A., Britton, P., Kaplan, M., McFarland, B., & Dobscha, S. (2016). Suicide risk documented during
veterans' last Veterans Affairs health care contacts prior to suicide. Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior, 46(3), 363-374. doi:10.1111/sltb.12226

Dobscha, S. K., Lovejoy, T. I., Morasco, B. J., Kovas, A. E., Peters, D. M., Hart, K., ... McFarland, B. H. (2016). Predictors
of improvements in pain intensity in a national cohort of older veterans with chronic pain. Journal of Pain, 17(7), 824-835.

ABSTRACT: Little is known about the factors associated with pain-related outcomes in older adults. In this observational study, we sought to identify patient factors associated with improvements in pain intensity in a national cohort of older veterans with chronic pain. We included 12,924 veterans receiving treatment from the Veterans Health Administration with... Read full research article: Predictors of improvements in pain intensity in a national cohort of older veterans with chronic pain

Durazzo, T., Meyerhoff, D., Mon, A., Abé, C., Gazdzinski, S., & Murray, D. (2016). chronic cigarette smoking in healthy
middle-aged individuals is associated with decreased regional brain N-acetylaspartate and Glutamate levels. Biological Psychiatry, 79, 481-488. doi:10.1016/j.biopsych.2015.03.029

Eckerlin, D., Kovalesky, A., & Jakupcak, M. (2016). CE: Military sexual trauma in male service members. AJN, American
Journal of Nursing, 116(9), 34-43. doi:10.1097/01.NAJ.0000494690.55746.d9

Gibson, C. J., Gray, K. E., Katon, J., Simpson, T. L., & Lehavot, K. (2016). Sexual assault, sexual harassment, and
physical victimization during military service across age cohorts of women veterans. Women’s Health Issues, 26, 225-231.

Gilmore, A., Brignone, E., Painter, J., Lehavot, K., Fargo, J., Suo, Y., … & Gundlapalli, A. (2016). Military sexual
trauma and co-occurring posttraumatic stress disorder, depressive disorders, and substance use disorders among returning Afghanistan and Iraq veterans. Women's Health Issues, 26(5), 546-554. doi:10.1016/j.whi.2016.07.001

Glover, N., Sylvers, P., Shearer, E., Kane, M., Clasen, P., Epler, A., … & Jakupcak, M. (2016). The efficacy of
Focused Acceptance and Commitment Therapy in VA primary care. Psychological Services, 13(2), 156-161. doi:10.1037/ser0000062

Goodrich, D. G., Klingaman, E., Verchinina, L., Goldberg, R. W., Littman, A. J., Janney, C. A., … & Bowersox, N. W. (2016).
Sex differences in weight loss among veterans with serious mental illness: Observational study of a national weight management program. Women’s Health Issues, 26(4), 410-419.

Grossbard, J., Malte, C., Lapham, G., Pagulayan, K. F., Turner, A., Rubinsky, A., … & Saxon, A. J. (2016). Prevalence
of alcohol misuse and follow-up care in a national sample of OEF/OIF VA patients with and without TBI. Psychiatric Services. Advance Online Publication. doi:10.1176/appi.ps.201500290

Hall, K. S., Gregg, J., Bosworth, H. B., Beckham, J., Hoerster, K. D., Sloane, R., & Morey, M. C. (2016). Physical
activity counseling promotes physical and psychological resilience in older veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder. Mental Health and Physical Activity, 11, 53-59. doi:10.1016/j.mhpa.2016.10.001

Hendrickson, R. C., & Raskind, M. A. (2016). Noradrenergic dysregulation in the pathophysiology of PTSD.
Experimental Neurology, 284(Pt B), 181-195.

Hoerster, K. D., Wilson, S. M., Nelson, K. M., Reiber, G. E., & Masheb, R. (2016). Diet quality is associated
with mental health, social support, and neighborhood factors among Veterans. Eating Behaviors, 23, 168-173. doi: 10.1016/j.eatbeh.2016.10.003. PMID: 27816854

Huber, B., Meabon, J., Hoffer, Z., Zhang, J., Hoekstra, J., Pagulayan, K. F., … & Cook, D. G. (2016). Blast
exposure causes dynamic microglial/macrophage responses and microdomains of brain microvessel dysfunction. Neuroscience, 319, 206-220. doi:10.1016/j.neuroscience.2016.01.022

Kansagara, D., O’Neil, M., Nugent, S., Freeman, M., Low, A., Kondo, K., … & Morasco, B. (2016). Benefits and
harms of cannabis in chronic pain or post-traumatic stress disorder: a systematic review. VA ESP Project, #05, 225.

Klingaman, E. A., Hoerster, K. D., Aakre, J. M., Viverito, K. M., Medoff, D. R., & Goldberg, R. W. (2016). Veterans
with PTSD report more weight loss barriers than Veterans with no mental health disorders. General Hospital Psychiatry, 39, 1-7.

Lehavot, K., Rillamas-Sun, E., Weitlauf, J., Kimerling, R., Wallace, R. B., Sadler, A. G., … & Simpson, T. L. (2016).
Mortality in postmenopausal women by sexual orientation and veteran status. The Gerontologist, 56(Suppl. 1), S150-S162. doi:10.1093/geront/gnv125

Lehavot, K., Simpson, T. L., & Shipherd, J. (2016). Factors associated with suicidality among a national sample of
transgender veterans. Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior, 46, 507-524. doi:10.1111/sltb.12233

Lehavot, K., Williams, E. C., Millard, S. P., Bradley, K. A., & Simpson, T. L. (2016). Association of alcohol misuse
with sexual identity and sexual behavior in women veterans. Substance Use and Misuse, 51, 216-229.

Liachko, N., Saxton, A., McMillan, P., Strovas, T., Currey, H., Taylor, L., … & Kraemer, B. C. (2016). The phosphatase
calcineurin regulates pathological TDP-43 phosphorylation. Acta Neuropathologica, 132(4), 545-561. doi:10.1007/s00401-016-1600-y

Lovejoy, T. I., Dobscha, S., Turk, D. C., Weimer, M. B., & Morasco, B. (2016). Correlates of prescription opioid
therapy in veterans with chronic pain and a history of substance use disorder. Journal of Rehabilitative Research and Development, 53, 25-36.

ABSTRACT: Patients with a history of substance use disorder (SUD) are more likely to be prescribed opioid medications for chronic pain than patients without substance use disorder (SUD) history; however, little is known about prescription opioid therapy in populations composed exclusively of patients with substance use disorder (SUD). This study examined correlates of prescription opioid therapy in 214 Veterans with chronic noncancer pain and substance use disorder (SUD) history. Read full research article: Correlates of prescription opioid therapy in Veterans with chronic pain and history of substance use disorder

Lu, M., Plagge, J., Marsiglio, M., & Dobscha, S. (2016). Clinician documentation on receipt of trauma-focused
evidence-based psychotherapies in a VA PTSD clinic. The Journal of Behavioral Health Services & Research, 43(1), 71-87. doi:10.1007/s11414-013-9372-9

Maguen, S., Hoerster, K. D., Littman, A. J., Klingaman, E., Evans-Hudnall, G., Holleman, R., … & Goodrich, D. E. (2016).
Iraq and Afghanistan veterans with PTSD participate less in VA’s weight loss program than those without PTSD. Journal of Affective Disorders, 193, 289-294. doi: 10.1016/j.jad.2015.12.078. Epub 2016 Jan 6.

McGinn, M. M., Hoerster, K. D., Stryczek, K. C., Malte, C., & Jakupcak, M. (2016). Relationship satisfaction, PTSD
symptom severity, and mental healthcare utilization among OEF/OIF veterans. Journal of Family Psychology. Advance Online Publication.

Meabon, J., de Laat, R., Ieguchi, K., Serbzhinsky, D., Hudson, M., Huber, B., … & Bothwell, M. (2016). Intracellular
LINGO-1 negatively regulates Trk neurotrophin receptor signaling. Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience, 70, 1-10. doi:10.1016/j.mcn.2015.11.002

Meabon, J., Huber, B., Cross, D., Richards, T., Minoshima, S., Pagulayan, K. F., … & Cook, D. G. (2016). Repetitive
blast exposure in mice and combat veterans causes persistent cerebellar dysfunction. Science Translational Medicine, 8(321), 321ra6-321ra6. doi: 10.1126/scitranslmed.aaa9585

Mooney, L. J., Hillhouse, M. P., Thomas, C., Ang, A., Sharma, G., Terry, G., … & Ling, W. (2016). Utilizing a two-stage
design to investigate the safety and potential efficacy of monthly Naltrexone plus once-daily Bupropion as a treatment for Methamphetamine Use Disorder. Journal of Addiction Medicine, 10(4), 236-43.

Morasco, B. J., Greaves, D. W., Lovejoy, T. I., Turk, D. C., Dobscha, S. K., & Hauser, P. (2016). Development and
preliminary evaluation of an integrated cognitive-behavior treatment for chronic pain and Substance Use Disorder in patients with the Hepatitis C virus. Pain Medicine, 17(12), 2280-2290.

ABSTRACT: Individuals with the hepatitis C virus (HCV) have high rates of both chronic pain and substance use disorder (SUD). Despite high comorbidity, there are limited data available on effective methods of treatment for co-occurring chronic pain and substance use disorder (SUD). In this study, we sought to develop and conduct preliminary testing of an integrated cognitive-behavior therapy (CBT) for chronic pain and substance use disorder (SUD) in patients with hepatitis C virus. Read full research article: Development and preliminary evaluation of an integrated cognitive-behavior treatment for chronic pain and Substance Use Disorder in patients with the Hepatitis C virus

Morasco, B. J., Peters, D., Krebs, E. E., Kovas, A. E., Hart, K., & Dobscha, S. K. (2016). Predictors of urine drug
testing for patients with chronic pain: Results from a national cohort of U.S. veterans. Substance Abuse, 37(1), 82-87.

ABSTRACT: Urine drug testing (UDT) is recommended for all patients who initiate chronic opioid therapy (COT) for the treatment of chronic pain; however, it is infrequently utilized. Some prior research has identified factors that may predict Urine drug testing (UDT), but studies have been limited. The purpose of this study is to examine the rate and predictors of Urine drug testing (UDT) among a national sample of patients with chronic pain who had new initiations of chronic opioid therapy (COT). Administrative data were examined for all veterans receiving medical care at Department of Veterans Affairs medical facilities who had new initiations of chronic opioid therapy (COT) during fiscal year 2011. Read full research article: Predictors of urine drug testing for patients with chronic pain: Results from a national cohort of U.S. veterans

Murray, D., & Durazzo, T. (2016). Frontal metabolite concentration deficits in opiate dependence relate to
substance use, cognition, and self-regulation. Journal of Addiction Research & Therapy, 7, 286. doi:10.4172/2155-6105.1000286

Niv, N., Frousakis, N., Tzucker, R. E., Dixon, L. B., & Glenn, S. (2016). A brief family intervention for depression
in primary care. Journal of Family Therapy. Advance Online Publication. doi:10.1111/1467-6427.12147

Norman, S., & Zaccari, B. (2016). PTSD consultation: Equipping providers to offer great care in or outside of the
VA. Traumatic Stress Points, International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies. Advance Online Publication.

Pagulayan, K. F., Temkin, N., Machamer, J., & Dikmen, S. (2016). Patterns of alcohol use after traumatic brain injury.
Journal of Neurotrauma, 33(14), 1390-1396. doi:10.1089/neu.2015.4071

Painter, J. M., Gray, K. E., McGinn, M., Mostoufi, S., & Hoerster, K. D. (2016). The relationships of Posttraumatic
Stress Disorder and depression symptoms with health-related quality of life and the role of social support among Veterans. Quality of Life Research, 25, 2657-67. doi:10.1007/s11136-016-1295-5

Palmer, B., & Raskind, M. A. (2016). Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and aging. The American Journal of Geriatric
Psychiatry, 24(3), 177-180. doi:10.1016/j.jagp.2016.01.133

Raskind, M. A., Millard, S., Petrie, E., Peterson, K., Williams, T. J., Hoff, D., … & Peskind, E. R. (2016). Higher
pretreatment blood pressure is associated with greater posttraumatic stress disorder symptom reduction in soldiers treated with prazosin. Biological Psychiatry, 80(10), 736–742. doi:10.1016/j.biopsych.2016.03.2108

Rasmussen, D. D., Johanson, S. S., & Kincaid, C. L. (2016). Melatonin treatment during alcohol withdrawal and
protracted deprivation reverses rat thyroid hormone dysregulation: correlation with startle response. Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, 40(S1), 35A.

Rasmussen, D. D., Johanson, S. S., Burns, J. L., & Kincaid, C. L. (2016). Reduction of a1- and ß-adrenergic signaling
at the time of traumatic stress reduces subsequent development of increased alcohol drinking in rats. Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, 40(S1), 198A.

Rodgman, C. J., Verrico, C. D., Holst, M., Thompson-Lake, D., Haile, C. N., La Garza, D., Raskind, M. A., & Newton, T.
F. (2016). Doxazosin XL reduces symptoms of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in Veterans with PTSD: A pilot clinical trial. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 77(5), e561-e565.

Simoni, J., Smith, L., Oost, K., Lehavot, K., & Fredriksen-Goldsen, K. (2016). Disparities in physical health conditions
among lesbian and bisexual women: a systematic review of population-based studies. Journal of Homosexuality, 64(1), 32-44. doi:10.1080/00918369.2016.1174021

Simpson, T. L., Rillamas-Sun, E., Lehavot, K., Timko, C., Rubin, A., Cucciare, M. A., … & Hoggatt, K. J. (2016). Alcohol
consumption levels and all-cause mortality among women Veterans and non-Veterans enrolled in the women’s health initiative. The Gerontologist, 56(Suppl 1), S138-S149. doi: 10.1093/geront/gnv667

Takeda, S., Commins, C., DeVos, S., Nobuhara, C., Wegmann, S., Roe, A., … & Hyman, B. (2016). Seed-competent high-
molecular-weight tau species accumulates in the cerebrospinal fluid of Alzheimer's disease mouse model and human patients. Annals of Neurology, 80(3), 355-367. doi:10.1002/ana.24716

Vasterling, J. J., Aslan, M., Proctor, S., Ko, J., Marx, B. P., Jakupcak, M., … & Concato, J. (2016). Longitudinal
examination of posttraumatic stress disorder as a long-term outcome of Iraq War deployment. American Journal of Epidemiology, 184, 796-805. doi:10.1093/aje/kww151

Washington, D. L., Gray, K., Hoerster, K. D., Katon, J. G., Cochrane, B. B., La Monte, M. J., … & Tinker, L. (2016).
Trajectories in physical activity and sedentary time among women Veterans in the Women’s Health Initiative. The Gerontologist, 56 Suppl 1, S27-39.

Zaccari, B. (2016). Complementary integrative health in the movement towards transforming patient centered care in the
VA. Traumatic Stress Points, International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies. Retrieved from https://www.istss.org/education-research/traumatic-stresspoints/2016-june/military-matters-complementary-integrative-health.aspx

NW MIRECC Research Articles:   In Press | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014


NW MIRECCVeterans Integrated Service Network 20 (VISN 20) serves 135 counties in Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, and extending into Del Norte County California and Lincoln County Montana. VISN 20 is the largest geographic region of VA and home to 273 federally recognized American Indian and Alaskan Native tribes, 229 of which are located in Alaska. Encompassing 23% of the US land mass, VISN 20 spans three time zones over 817,417 square miles. VA Puget Sound Health Care System (VAPSHCS) and the Portland VA Health Care System (VAPORHCS) were commissioned by Congress and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) as one of the first three Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Centers (MIRECCs) in the United States. VAPSHCS serves Veterans from a five-state area in the Pacific Northwest with two main divisions: American Lake VA Medical Center and Seattle VA Medical Center. VA Outpatient Clinics and Vet Centers in Washington are located in Bellingham, Bellevue, Bremerton, Chehalis, Edmunds, Everett, Federal Way, Lacey, Mount Vernon, Olympia, Port Angeles, Puyallup, Richland, Renton, Silverdale, Seattle, Spokane, Union Gap, Vancouver, Walla Walla, Wenatchee, and Yakima. Veterans in Washington are also served by VA Medical Centers in Spokane, Vancouver, and Walla Walla. VAPORHCS serves Veterans in Oregon and Southwest Washington with two main divisions: Portland VA Medical Center and Vancouver VA Medical Center. VA Outpatient Clinics and Vet Centers in Oregon are located in Bend, Boardman, Brookings, Enterprise, Eugene, Fairview, Grants Pass, Hines, Hillsboro, Klamath Falls, LaGrande, Lincoln City, Newport, Portland, Salem, The Dalles, Warrenton, and West Linn. Veterans in Oregon are also served by VA Medical Centers in Roseburg, White City, and Vancouver, Washington.

Browse facilities by state

Virgin Islands American Samoa Vermont Rhode Island Rhode Island Connecticut Connecticut New Jersey New Jersey Delaware Delaware Massachusetts Massachusetts Alaska Hawaii Philippines Guam Puerto Rico Maine New Hampshire Vermont New York Michigan Pennsylvania West Virginia Ohio Indiana Kentucky Virginia Maryland Maryland Washington DC North Carolina South Carolina Georgia Florida Wisconsin Illinois Tennessee Alabama Mississippi Louisiana Arkansas Missouri Minnesota Washington Idaho Oregon California Nevada Arizona Texas Oklahoma Iowa Nebraska Kansas Utah New Mexico Colorado South Dakota North Dakota Wyoming Montana
USA map

VA provides health care for Veterans from providers in the local community outside of VA. Veterans may be eligible to receive care from a community provider when VA cannot provide the care needed. VA launched its new and improved Veterans Community Care Program (VCCP) on June 6, 2019, implementing portions of the VA Maintaining Internal Systems and Strengthening Integrated Outside Networks Act of 2018 (MISSION Act), which both ended the Veterans Choice Program and established VCCP. Types of care under the new VCCP include General Community Care, Urgent Care, Emergency Care, Foreign Medical Care, Home Health and Hospice Care, Indian and Tribal Health Services, In Vitro Fertilization, State Veterans Home, and Flu Shots. Veterans work with their VA health care provider or other VA staff to see if they are eligible to receive community care based on new criteria. The VA Community Care Network (CCN) is VA’s direct link with community providers to ensure Veterans receive timely, high-quality care.

VA Vet Center LogoVet Centers in the VISN 20 Health Care Network are community-based counseling centers that provide a wide range of social and psychological services, including professional readjustment counseling to eligible Veterans, active-duty Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Air Force, and Space Force service members, including National Guard and Reserve components, and their families. 1-877-WAR-VETS is an around the clock confidential call center where Veterans, service members and their families can talk about their military experience or any other issue they are facing in transitioning after military service or trauma and get connected to their nearest Vet Center.

Vet Centers in VISN 20

Vet Centers provide counseling to make a successful transition from military to civilian life or after a traumatic event experienced in the military. Individual, group, marriage and family counseling is offered in addition to referral and connection to other VA or community benefits and services. If you can’t make it to a nearby Vet Center, VA offers satellite Vet Center locations and Mobile Vet Centers that may be closer to you.

Alaska

Anchorage Vet Center (Anchorage, AK)

Anchorage Satellite Vet Centers in Anchor Point and Homer

Fairbanks Vet Center (Fairbanks, AK)

Fairbanks Satellite Vet Centers in Fort Greely and Fort Wainwright

Kenai Vet Center Outstation (Soldotna, AK)

Wasilla Vet Center (Wasilla, AK)

Oregon

Central Oregon Vet Center (Bend, OR)

Eugene Vet Center (Eugene, OR)

Eugene Satellite Vet Centers in Florence and Reedsport 

Grants Pass Vet Center (Grants Pass, OR)

Grants Pass Satellite Vet Center in Cave Junction and Grants Pass Mobile Vet Center

Portland, OR Vet Center (Portland, OR)

Portland Satellite Vet Centers in Oregon City, St. Helens, and Vancouver, Washington

Salem Vet Center (Salem, OR)

Salem Mobile Vet Center

Idaho

Boise Vet Center (Boise, ID)

Boise Satellite Vet Center in Ontario, Oregon and Boise Mobile Vet Center

Spokane Satellite Vet Centers in Couer d'Alene, Kootenai, Post Falls, Fairchild AFB, and Newport, Washington

Washington

Bellingham Vet Center (Bellingham, WA)

Everett Vet Center (Everett, WA)

Federal Way Vet Center (Federal Way, WA)

Lacey Vet Center Outstation (Lacey, WA)

Seattle Vet Center (Seattle, WA)

Spokane Vet Center (Spokane, WA)

Spokane Satellite Vet Centers in Fairchild AFB, Newport, Post Falls and Couer d'Alene, Idaho

Spokane Mobile Vet Center

Tacoma Vet Center (Tacoma, WA)

Tacoma Mobile Vet Center

Vancouver Vet Center - Washington State University, Clark County (Vancouver, WA)

Walla Walla Vet Center (Walla Walla, WA)

Yakima Valley Vet Center (Yakima, WA)

Yakima Satellite Vet Center in Ellensburg

Veterans Crisis "988" - The Military Crisis Line is a free, confidential resource for all Army, Navy, Marines, Coast Guard, Air Force and Space Force service members, including members of the National Guard and Reserve, and Veterans. You're not alone—the Veterans Crisis Line is here for you. For immediate help in dealing with a suicidal crisis, contact the Veterans Crisis Line: Dial 988 then Press 1. You don't have to be enrolled in VA benefits or health care to call.

Suicide Risk 988 Military Veterans Crisis Line

In Europe
Call 00800 1273 8255 or DSN 118

In Korea
Call 080-855-5118 or DSN 118

In Afghanistan
Call 00 1 800 273 8255 or DSN 111

In the Philippines
Call #MYVA or 02-8550-3888 and press 7

A Veteran overseas may contact the Veterans Crisis Line via the chat modality at VeteransCrisisLine.net/Chat. If the Veteran prefers a phone call, they can request this within the chat venue. For TTY users: Use your preferred relay service or dial 711 then 1-800-273-8255. Are you looking for clinical care or counseling? Assistance with benefits? No matter what you’re experiencing, we’re here to connect you with resources and support systems to help. The Veterans Crisis Line is free and confidential. When you call, chat, or text, a qualified responder will listen and help. You decide how much information to share. Support doesn't end with your conversation. Our responders can connect you with the resources you need.

Explore VA.gov

VA has a variety of mental health resources, information, treatment options, and more — all accessible to Veterans, Veterans’ supporters, and the general public. Explore the pages below to learn more about a specific mental health topic. Each of these pages includes resources, information on treatment options, and more.

Stories of Support

Telehealth Therapy

For Daniel, Don, and Jennifer, convenient video counseling made it easier to put their health first. Adjusting from military service to civilian life can be both exciting and challenging. Make the Connection

Dial 988 then press 1

Connect with the Veterans Crisis Line to reach caring, qualified responders with the Department of Veterans Affairs. The Veterans Crisis Line is free and confidential. Support doesn't end with your conversation. Our responders can connect you with the resources you need.

Mental Health Updates

Explore the latest mental health news, resources, and real-life stories of mental health recovery.

Plan your trip to VA

In 1946, Veterans Canteen Service (VCS) was established by law to provide comfort and well-being to America’s Veterans. With our many retail stores, cafés and coffee shops across the country, we serve those who have served our country. Our Canteens are whole health spaces for Veterans to connect, relax, share and care for themselves in an environment that is their benefit. We are proud to Serve America’s Veterans and those who provide for their care.

VCS operates over 200 Patriot Stores in Veterans Administration (VA) Medical Centers nationwide. Many of our stores have been recently updated and expanded to provide our customers with a modern, clean and comfortable shopping experience. Our stores welcome our customers with wider aisles, wood-like floors, enhanced lighting and directional signage. PatriotStores have expanded hours of operation to provide service for customers on weekends at most locations.

The Patriot Cafe is the best place in the VA Medical Center to enjoy delicious, freshly prepared breakfast or lunch served hot or cold each weekday. Providing Veterans, their families, VA employees, volunteers and visitors a place to relax and enjoy a meal or take-out for their convenience. With a wide variety of food from traditional comfort food, specialized menu selections and a large assortment of healthy choices; there is something for everyone's taste buds.

Email Updates
To sign up for updates or to access your subscriber preferences, please enter your contact information below.