Minnesota study concludes it’s unprepared for veterans with TBIs
As with many states a new study concluded that Minnesota is unprepared to meet the mental health needs of veterans returning from the wars, especially those with a traumatic brain injury. Rep Al Juhnke is chairman of the House Veterans Affairs Committee and has authored a legislative bill earlier in the year that also funded the new report. He expressed that better identification of the TBI affected soldiers will help lead to a better treatment and enable them to return to a productive civilian life. The 55-page report was commissioned to look at any unmet needs in the veterans care system and to recommend ways to address them. There will be a bonding bill to help build a veterans facility. Once the bill passes the state likely will get on the priority list to receive additional federal funds for the project. The report describes a “haphazard and patchwork” system of care for returning soldiers. Many of the returning veterans struggle with substance abuse, post-traumatic stress or depression. Health care systems, particularly in rural Minnesota, often lack the resources or expertise to appropriately address the mental health needs of veterans.
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