VA has options for you \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
Esketamine, a novel and mental health treatment therapy, is being used across VA for Veterans with treatment-resistant depression and acute suicidality.<\/p>\n
Esketamine is administered under the supervision of trained clinicians. The therapy is delivered via an intranasal device in the form of a spray. Patients are treated in a clinic where they are observed by a medical team for two hours. After the two-hour monitoring period, they are cleared prior to discharge with approved transportation.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cEsketamine is one of the most effective FDA-approved antidepressant therapies available today,\u201d said Dr. Sarah Canoy, a psychiatrist at Truman VA<\/a> in Columbia, Mo. \u201cIts use is especially effective for those experiencing treatment-resistant depression. Since we began offering this option in 2022, we have been able to increase its availability to our Veterans, especially after we opened a new dedicated treatment room in January 2024.\u201d<\/p>\n How it works<\/p>\n \u201cTypically, esketamine treatments are given twice a week for the first month per protocol,\u201d Canoy continued. \u201cIf the patient\u2019s symptoms improve, treatments are continued. The frequency of the maintenance phase is based on the patient\u2019s response to the medication and the continued improvement of depressive symptoms.<\/p>\n \u201cFor people who haven\u2019t had success with other antidepressant therapies, esketamine may be another tool that offers them a chance to see what it\u2019s like to have significantly reduced or no depression. It also provides positive reinforcement that they can feel better with the right treatment. I\u2019m very happy and excited that we can provide this level of care for our Veterans.\u201d<\/p>\n Veterans interested in the esketamine treatment can ask for a referral from their mental health provider.<\/p>\n