SOUTH WHITEHALL TWP., Pa. \u2014 Improving efficiency within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and preventing veteran suicides were hot topics during Monday’s roundtable hosted by Congressman Ryan Mackenzie and Veterans Affairs Sec. Doug Collins.<\/p>\n
“We’re the largest healthcare system in the country and many times there’s been this idea that the VA is this bureaucracy and we’re changing that but also that we’re a healthcare system as well, we have the same challenges,” Collins told 69 News.<\/p>\n
From clearing out the backlog of hundreds of thousands of disabilities claims to thinking outside of the box in tackling veteran suicide rates.<\/p>\n
“Veteran suicide is a stubborn problem that has maintained a higher rate than we would like to see. What are the ways that we’re going to address this for the 60% of veterans committing suicide who have never been touched by the VA, have never had that kind of interaction there before, how do we get to those individuals,” said U.S. Rep. Mackenzie of Pa.’s 7th Congressional District.<\/p>\n
Mark Baylis, founder of Valor Clinic Foundation, said data shows that many veterans who commit suicide do so because of a life circumstance as opposed to a mental health problem.<\/p>\n
“I think we could do a better job of teaching veterans what to expect in the new normals and how to have coping skills to better integrate. I think that one single thing could prevent more veteran self-harm than any other thing,” Baylis explained.<\/p>\n
Baylis told us he’s optimistic about the changes made and he’s optimistic about those in the works for the VA.<\/p>\n
“We have a great population of veterans here in the Lehigh Valley and the Poconos. We really appreciate their service and sacrifice, everything they’ve done for our country. It’s critically important we make sure we serve them through the Veterans Administration,” Mackenzie concluded.<\/p>\n