Monday, April 17, 2000
Kentucky clinic to serve veterans
Agencies offer psychiatric care
BY Susan Vela
The Cincinnati Enquirer
COVINGTON — By summer, Northern Kentucky veterans could receive psychiatric care without crossing the Ohio River.
The Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Cincinnati and North Key Community Care are working to open a psychiatric clinic that would serve this region.
VA would provide the psychiatrist, North Key its Scott Street facility.
The partnership could increase the number of veterans receiving counseling and medication, said Dr. Bernadette D'Souza, assistant director for clinical affairs at the VA facility in Cincinnati.
“We expect there will be a very high demand for it,” said Gary Goetz, North Key's vice president of development and community relations.
Cincinnati's VA facility provides psychiatric care to about 1,400 veterans. About 20 percent are from Northern Kentucky, and transportation problems often are a barrier for veterans needing psychiatric care.
North Key provides mental health services and works with substance abuse prob lems and developmental disabilities.
Dr. D'Souza said a Covington clinic could provide care to about 50 veterans. She is trying to hire a psychiatrist to work out of North Key's facility.
The VA has been trying to do more outreach for the past three or four years. Dr. D'Souza approached North Key last summer about working together to open a Northern Kentucky a clinic.
Mr. Goetz said individual pride could be a challenge in persuading some veterans to seek care.
“Veterans tend to be very proud individuals, and they want to rely on their own resources,” Mr. Goetz said. “The goal is to make the assistance available and more familiar to them.”
Mr. Goetz said he would distribute fliers about the new clinic at American Legion halls and Veterans of Foreign Wars posts.
Dr. D'Souza said 45 is the average age of VA psychiatric patients.
VA began working in July with Butler County Mental Health Services in Fairfield, where a VA psychiatrist sees about 30 patients.
Once the North Key clinic opens, veterans will be able to make appointments by calling North Key, (859) 331-3292.
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