{"id":29347,"date":"2018-04-27T18:29:52","date_gmt":"2018-04-27T18:29:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/militarytimes\/uncategorized\/2018\/04\/27\/embedded-mental-health-providers-making-a-difference-for-troops-officials-say\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T01:45:40","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T01:45:40","slug":"embedded-mental-health-providers-making-a-difference-for-troops-officials-say","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/militarytimes\/management\/pay-benefits\/military-benefits\/health-care\/2018\/04\/27\/embedded-mental-health-providers-making-a-difference-for-troops-officials-say\/","title":{"rendered":"Embedded mental health providers making a difference for troops, officials say"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Embedding mental health professionals<\/a> within military units is producing some good results as troops have easier access <\/a>to the help they need, the services\u2019 surgeons general told lawmakers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Army has seen a decrease of 41 percent in the inpatient admission rate for acute behavioral health issues \u201cbecause we\u2019ve been able to handle it at the local level, and intervene earlier\u201d before crises happen, said Army Surgeon General Lt. Gen. Nadja West<\/a>, testifying Thursday before the Senate Appropriations Committee\u2019s defense panel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Army has been assigning behavioral health providers to operational units, and more soldiers are receiving care in an outpatient setting, instead of having to go to a hospital. That\u2019s contributed to more visits to behavioral health, West said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Overall use of behavioral health care increased from about 900,000 visits in fiscal 2007 to more than 2.25 million in fiscal 2017, she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNot that there\u2019s more pathology,\u201d West noted. \u201cPeople just feel more comfortable using this in their area.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\t