Veterans across the country who participate in mental health care have adapted to receiving service through telehealth, such as video and phone sessions.

The Department of Veterans Affairs reported a 280% jump in mental health care phone consultations in March and a 200% increase in virtual mental health sessions that same month.

Care providers at the Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic at Aspire Health Partners in Tampa saw a 213% increase in the number of sessions it provided in April via Zoom, the Tampa Bay Times reported. The center is part of the Cohen Veterans Network, which provides service to post-9/11 veterans and their families.

Just as veterans are adapting to the new style of session, so are providers, who are not able to pick up on the same verbal cues they might notice in person, for example.

The changes are likely to lead to a larger discussion about how veterans, service members and their families get care in the future, according to Anthony Hassan, CEO of the Cohen Veterans Network.

“There’s no reason why someone can’t get help,” Hassan said.

Photo by Veterans Affairs