Suicide prevention doesn’t require big changes. These simple steps can help. It may feel like protecting yourself against suicide risk requires significant life changes. That kind of pressure can feel overwhelming. The good news is that there are small, simple steps you can take every day that protect against the risk of suicide. It doesn’t…
Live Whole Health #302: Brighten up your winter meals with pumpkin!
Pumpkin is a powerhouse food that has been growing across North America for thousands of years. This versatile staple is used in many cuisines, and can be dried, roasted, baked and boiled, proving that Pumpkin isn’t just for fall! Rich in nutrients and low in calories In addition to its nutrient-rich flesh, pumpkin seeds and…
Lasting lifestyle changes through TeleMOVE!
How one Veteran turned his life around Air Force Veteran John Bates says he’s “half the man” he used to be. Through VA’s TeleMOVE! program, he lost 190 pounds, came off all his medications and found a new way to stay connected to care. The turning point came during a visit to a VA clinic…
Improving access to care
Bringing care home Rural Veterans who need a new brace or prosthesis are aware of the barriers to care. It can mean planning for a long drive to your local VA, hoping traffic isn’t too bad, and bracing yourself for hours in waiting rooms. Sometimes, you must ask a friend or family member to take…
The impact of creative advocacy: Thomas Mercado’s journey
A colorful approach to raising awareness for important causes Thomas Mercado, a Veteran and nurse with the Eastern Oklahoma VA Health Care System (EOVAHCS), is deeply involved in advocacy and awareness campaigns and shows immense care for his friends, family, coworkers and fellow Veterans. Personal approach to advocacy A close friend of Mercado’s was diagnosed…
Multiple sclerosis: A Veteran’s journey back to VA care
Understanding VA care for Veterans with multiple sclerosis A diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS) led to new health care opportunities for Kathleen Fitpatrick. In 1988, when Fitpatrick first entered a VA medical center, it made her uneasy. She had every reason to feel at home there—nearly a decade of Army service as a medic and…
RelieVRx offers hope for Veterans with chronic pain
Virtual reality as therapy For many Veterans, living with chronic pain can make daily life difficult. VA is helping change that through innovative, non-drug treatments like RelieVRx, a virtual reality (VR) therapy that can be used in the comfort of your home. What is RelieVRx? RelieVRx is a Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-authorized VR prescription…
Meet a VA Oncologist: Dr. Ruchika Gutt
The Department of Veterans Affairs’ National Oncology Program (NOP) is one of the nation’s largest integrated providers of oncology services, diagnosing and treating more than 56,000 Veterans each year. Bringing compassionate care and innovative treatment to our Veterans is a team of skilled, dedicated oncologists like Dr. Ruchika Gutt, chief of Radiation Oncology at the Washington, D.C.,…
Take control of your health
In the new year It’s easy to leave the doctor’s office and immediately feel a sense of regret. Have you ever left an appointment, only to later realize you forgot to mention a certain health condition, or a new medication that you wanted to discuss? This is common. When you’re sitting in an exam…
VA and military collaboration to ensure pilots are mission-ready
A groundbreaking partnership ensuring pilots’ readiness In a groundbreaking partnership, the 85th Fighter Group, Veterans Health System of the Ozarks (VHSO) and the 188th Medical Group are rewriting the playbook on military readiness, proving that collaboration is the key to unmatched mission success. In the heart of Fort Smith, Ark., the 188th Wing hosts the 85th Fighter Group, a…
Decreasing suicide risk: How to support the Veterans in your life
Use these VA tools and resources to keep your Veteran loved one safe, healthy and protected against suicide Preventing Veteran suicide takes collective action. Veterans and their families, friends, caregivers, loved ones and entire communities must work together to offer support and hope to those who need it. VA has many resources for anyone who…
Serving Veterans with severe mental health challenges
Remaining in communities Veteran Lyndsey Beaver, 41, a Maryland transplant from New Jersey, counts her blessings each day. She appreciates her job as a cashier at a local supermarket and her own apartment. She takes pride in having earned an Associate of Arts degree in Computer-Aided Drafting and Design. She finds joy in her beagle,…