Interest in technology-based therapies hampered by access: A survey of veterans with serious mental illnesses.

OBJECTIVE: Computer technology is used in various ways to deliver and enhance health care. It is therefore important to understand technology use patterns among underserved populations such as persons with serious mental illnesses who often experience inequitable care. METHODS: A survey was administered to 210 veterans with serious mental illnesses attending programs at a Department of Veterans Affairs community care center, with data collected on demographics, psychiatric diagnoses, access, use, and willingness to use cell phones, smart phones, Internet-based online social networking, and computerized therapies. Descriptive and multivariable analyses were conducted to determine utilization and interest in different technologies. RESULTS: Although 80.4% of the respondents reported owning a cellphone, only 30.3% reported they had a computer and 13.1% reported owning a smartphone. Although 56.7% reported using the Internet and 47.6% indicated they used e-mail, 68.6% of respondents reported that they were interested in using computer programs for mental health-related problems. Older, less educated veterans, and those with alcohol use disorders were less likely to use the Internet. Veterans who were White or had PTSD diagnoses were less willing to use any computerized therapy. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Lower rates of computer use, Internet, and cell phone technologies were observed among veterans with serious mental illnesses compared to general population surveys. Sociodemographic barriers likely impede access to technology among veterans with serious mental illnesses. Providing financial resources and associated education and training to veterans with serious mental illnesses could increase access to helpful technology-based interventions in a population that traditionally experiences service gaps. (PsycINFO Database Record

Helping veterans with mental illness overcome civil legal issues: collaboration between a veterans affairs psychosocial rehabilitation center and a nonprofit legal center.

This article describes the collaboration between a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) community-based psychosocial rehabilitation center and a nonprofit legal center that primarily addresses the civil legal issues of veterans who have mental illness and/or are homeless. The legal center is located on-site at the VA psychosocial rehabilitation center and serves veterans who receive VA mental health treatment and other social services. Once veterans establish contact with the legal center and authorize the release of their health information, legal center staff members work closely with VA clinicians to help veterans address legal issues that may be obstacles to recovery. Development of this collaboration is described, along with the legal center's funding, clientele, and operations. The most common types of civil legal matters the legal center handles are also briefly described. Experiences of the legal center suggest that professional aid for civil legal problems provided within VA facilities may be beneficial for veterans and warrants empirical study.

A model of consumer-provider partnership: Vet-to-Vet.

Recently, there has been increased interest in consumer-provided mental health services. Two models have been proposed: One emphasizing full independence from professional services, and one in which consumers work within the mental health system. In this paper we describe Vet-to-Vet, a consumer-professional partnership model in which consumer services are embedded in a mental health system. We describe the advantages of this approach and barriers to implementation of other models. Vet-to-Vet has several unique elements, developed and implemented by consumers with professional consultation and supervision. We believe that consumer-partnership models of consumer-provided mental health services have potential for minimizing implementation barriers and for maximizing long-term sustainability.