In a move aimed at shaking up the way we approach mental health support for those who've served, Los Angeles County has just rolled out a comprehensive initiative designed to specifically target veterans' mental health care. Official announcements detail a collaboration among the Los Angeles County Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (MVA), Happy: Frictionless Mental Health, Precise Behavioral, and The Reality Center, which collectively aims to provide veterans with immediate and barrier-free access to emotional and mental health services.
Here’s the breakdown: Veterans in L.A. County now have access to a direct intake link for swift self-referral, peer referrals through the VPAN Service Request Form, and a dedicated Program Manager for urgent needs. Once in the system, the process kicks off with a needs assessment conducted by Happy's Support Givers, who then match the veterans to suitable services from the three partner organizations, ranging from emotional check-ins to telehealth therapy or in-person sensory healing sessions.
The ambition of this initiative is clear: to serve over 3,500 veterans within the county, including those often left out of VA benefits, and to make a significant dent in how mental health is treated — aiming to improve self-reported mental health by 30% and access to behavioral health by 20%. Quarterly reports will be made public to maintain transparency and showcase the program's reach and impact, a step that could truly help to change the narrative around veterans' mental health care.
For additional details or assistance, veterans and their families can reach out to Kristan Toth, the Program Manager, at the email [email protected] or by phone at 858-367-3001. More information about this pioneering mental health initiative can be found on the official Los Angeles County Department of Military and Veterans Affairs website or by contacting Ashley Cohen, the Communications Director for Military and Veterans Affairs, at (213) 824-5455.
