VA Tennessee Valley researchers working to solve rural Veterans’ mental health barriers
PRESS RELEASE
October 7, 2024
Nashville , TN — Dr. Michael J. Ward and Dr. Jo Ellen Wilson, VA Tennessee Valley Healthcare System (TVHS) investigators, were selected by VA’s Office of Rural Health (ORH) to improve mental health care access for Veterans living in rural Tennessee and southern Kentucky.
The research funding will be used to explore innovative strategies to deliver care, address unique health care challenges, and develop programs in rural communities to improve the overall health and well-being of Veterans. Wilson and Ward’s work may be adopted nationally across VA’s enterprise to aid more rural Veterans.
“We have one of the first telehealth programs for emergency mental health that we were integral in developing,” said Ward. “Our goal is to make it easier for rural Veterans to access mental health services. Whether it is when they present to the emergency department or urgent care clinic, or access [telehealth] from their home."
Mental health conditions are the sixth most common reason for VA emergency department and urgent care clinic visits, according to ORH.
Across VA, 54% of enrolled rural Veterans are over 65 years old. Ward’s previous research indicated VA’s telehealth service can offer support to rural Veterans who do not live near mental health providers.
VA Telehealth provides direct, real-time video support between a Veteran and a health care professional. Telehealth first launched at TVHS in March 2020, and more than 93,000 mental health telehealth appointments were conducted in fiscal year 2024.
Matthew Keeler, Public Affairs Specialist