MANCHESTER, NH - Today, Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01), a member of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs and chairman of the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations hosted a discussion with veterans, mental health care providers, health experts, and Manchester VA leadership about the need to continue to address the mental and emotional health needs of our veterans community.
Pappas was joined in the roundtable conversation by Dr. Alicia Semiatin, Director of Mental Health at the VAMC Manchester; Eric Golnick, CEO of Veterans and First Responders Healthcare in Manchester; Wayne Barrows, Director of Provider Relations at The TMS Collaborative in Exeter; Allison Miller, Deputy Director for District 1, Vet Centers; Selena Herbert, Manager of The Vet Center in Hooksett.
The panelists discussed a wide range of issues including the impact COVID-19 has had on veterans' mental health, the use of telehealth to deliver services, addressing substance misuse and suicide by veterans, and use of service animals and other treatments to help veterans living with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have healthy and productive lives.
"The COVID-19 pandemic has been challenging for New Hampshire's veteran community," said Congressman Chris. Pappas. "Our veterans have been hit incredibly hard by the health and economic fallout of the pandemic, and the increased isolation, stress, and loss of life that so many have had to cope with has only exacerbated the mental health issues some live with each and every day. That is why I wanted to convene this group of local mental health experts and providers today to raise awareness and discuss the treatments available to help veterans. It is crucial that we not only work to help veterans recover from this pandemic but that we also continue to look to the future and put in place policies to help them live full, healthy lives."
Pappas discussed his work on behalf of veterans in Washington, including on the House Committee on Veterans Affairs. This week, he helped introduce H.R. 1022 , the Puppies Assisting Wounded Servicemembers (PAWS) Act, which will increase access to service dogs for veterans with PTSD. He also recently helped craft and worked to pass the American Rescue Act Plan, which includes $15 billion in support for veterans to improve care within VHA, address veteran unemployment, and reduce delays in claims appeals.
Earlier this year, former President Trump signed three Pappas-authored bills into law as part of the bipartisan Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe, M.D. Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2020. Included in the package were his provisions to improve access to prosthetics for female veterans, reform VA debt collection processes, and the Reducing High Risk to Veterans Services Act which seeks to improve management and better the quality of care within the Veterans Health Administration.
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