Military combat veterans in Arziona’s Maricopa County will have more access to readjustment counseling & other services starting late next year when the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) opens another Vet Center.
“Community-based Vet Centers -- already in all 50 states -- are a key component of VA’s mental health program,” said Dr. James B. Peake, Secretary of Veterans Affairs. “I’m pleased we can expand access & bring services closer to more veterans, including screening & counseling for post-traumatic stress disorder.”
The new Arizona facility will be one of 39 new Vet Centers nationwide added to 232 that VA operates now. Four already operate in Arziona in Phoenix, Mesa, Prescott & Tucson.
Vet Centers conduct community outreach to provide counseling on employment, family issues & education to combat veterans & family members, as well as bereavement counseling for families of service members killed on active duty & counseling for veterans who were sexually harassed on active duty.
Services are available at no cost to veterans who experienced combat during any war era. They are staffed by small teams of counselors, outreach workers & other specialists, many of whom are combat veterans. The Vet Center program was established in 1979 by Congress, recognizing that many Vietnam veterans were still having readjustment problems.