Mental health assessments shouldn’t feel like a pop quiz

Over the last year, I’ve spoken with hundreds of veterans about their previous mental health assessments. Though some have had decent experiences, the majority have reported challenges. Many have reported a lack of engagement by their provider. Others reported their provider did not understand the VA’s rating requirements. Too many shared that their assessment felt like a test administered by a teacher with a wrong or right answer. 

Lack of Provider Engagement

It’s easy to point the finger at the providers here. I’ll resist. I believe most mental health providers enter this field for the right reasons. I also know that many providers work within broken systems that demand long hours with few personal breaks and high documentation needs. It is only a matter of time before these providers start facing burnout, and their clients will feel it.

Lack of Understanding of the VA Rating Requirements

I know of many well-intended psychologists who believe in their hearts that they are helping their clients but don’t understand which symptoms correspond with which ratings or don’t know how to provide the type of evidence the VA rater needs to see. No matter how much these providers write in their reports, if the evidence isn’t delivered based on the VA’s requirements, this evaluation is not productive for the veteran and will not support the veteran’s claim. 

Test Administered By a Teacher

Mental health assessments should never feel like a test. The veteran is likely already feeling anxiety about sharing their experiences heading into the evaluation. If some providers don’t hear specific language from the veteran, they don’t ask questions to help the veteran report their authentic experiences. The veteran should be able to communicate their experience to a provider who understands the language the VA uses and interprets the information the veteran provides about their symptoms appropriately.

VMHA 

We’ve hired and rigorously trained psychologists who have compassion for the veteran’s experience. Our psychologists provide a high-quality evaluation based on the VA’s rating requirements. Our technology enables our psychologists by providing quality assurance. We eliminate errors in documentation, provide a curated list of important questions to ask, and allow our psychologists to provide high-quality repeatedly. 

Our nation’s veterans have already sacrificed enough for our country. Receiving the support they deserve shouldn’t be complicated. If you’re a veteran and need a mental health assessment, sign up for our free consultation, and we will let you know if an evaluation is right for you.