Veterans Mental Evaluation Team (VMET)
Last updated
Share PrintThe VMET program assists in responding to calls involving local law enforcement interactions with veterans in crisis. In addition the VMET team conducts outreach efforts to contact “at risk” veterans who have stopped showing up for their psychiatric care at the VA Hospital. This proactive outreach approach, which includes a VA clinician and VA police officer, is a first of its kind VA nationwide program to help reduce the number of veteran suicides and increase participation in mental health treatment. All veterans have access to follow up care and wrap around services.
Origin:
August 2018, Tibor Rubin VA Medical Center (Long Beach)
Adoptions:
6 successful, 3 in-progress, 2 unsuccessful
Awards and Recognition:
Diffusion of Excellence Rising Award , Diffusion of Excellence Promising Practice, VHA Shark Tank Winner
Partners:
Diffusion of Excellence, Office of Rural Health, VHA Innovators Network
Recent Updates
Overview
The problem
Videos
Above:
VA 75th Anniversary- Veterans Mental Evaluation Team
The solution
The results
Links
- Article Washington Post Veterans talking veterans back from the brink: A new approach to policing and lives in crisis
Metrics
- The Long Beach and Fresno VAs have responded to 3,540 calls, saved 119 Veterans that were at imminent risk, and placed only 42 psychiatric holds.
Diffusion tracker
Does not include Clinical Resource Hubs (CRH)
Multimedia
Images
Above:
This is an image of a suicidal veteran who wanted to jump after being frustrated about his VA benefits. Through VMET, we were able to de-escalate and bring the veteran to safety. He was brought back to VA for VA care.
Above:
This is a call for service to a veteran who was Gravely disabled. With joint effort of local law enforcement, we were able to place the veteran in psychiatric care and prevent danger to the veteran, his family and community providers. He was ultimately bought to VA for mental health treatment and substance abuse and housing services.
Above:
This is a photo where our VMET Clinician was assessing a veteran who had called the White House and made threats. VMET was dispatched to the call, where over a 3 day period we engaged with the veteran and ultimately placed him on a psychiatric hold.
Videos
Above:
This is an interview about VMET and published story
Implementation
Timeline
-
0-3 months
Build relationship with community Partners -
0-3 months
Establish and update SOP for facility -
1 month
Identify approriate staff -
0-3
Train VA staff on VMET protocols -
0-3 months
Attend critical and unique training -
Two weeks
Social Worker will learn and identify police tactics -
Ongoing
Train internal & external partners/providers/law enforcement
Departments
- Mental health care
- Social work
Core Resources
| Resource type | Resource description |
|---|---|
PEOPLE |
|
PROCESSES |
|
TOOLS |
|
Links
- Story of VMET Washington Post VMET
- Interview of VMET VA vantage point VMET
Risks and mitigations
| Risk | Mitigation |
|---|---|
| Increased safety to staff and veterans | Ongoing continued risk assesment and training |
| Inneffective or undertrained staff | Identify vet-centric staff |
| Lack of support and collaboration | We have to show we are worthy partners |
Contact
Comment
Comments and replies are disabled for retired innovations and non-VA users.
Email VHALONVMET@va.gov with questions about this innovation.
About
Origin story
Original team
Shannon Teague, LCSW/VMET Clinician
VMET Social Worker
Tyrone Anderson, VMET police officer
VMET Police Officer
Jeffrey Hayter
Police Chief
Ann Costa
Supervisory Social Work
Walt Dannenberg
Director Tibor Rubin VA
I love this practice!!!
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