Veterans Navigate Transition To Civilian Life With inTransition Program
Some research suggests that 16% of all U.S. service members deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq have PTSD or depression. The inTransition program is a resource offered by the Defense Health Agency (DHA) to all service members and veterans regardless of how long they’ve served and connects them to those services.
The inTransition program is a free, confidential program that offers specialized coaching and assistance for active-duty service members, National Guard members, reservists, veterans and retirees who need access to mental health care.
We had the change to sit down with the inTransition Program Manager and licensed clinical psychologist with over 10 years experience, Dr. Polizzi, to discuss the importance of transitioning military members to mental health services.
Q: The coaches qualifications are masters level psychological health clinicians- does this mean they are talk therapists or psychiatrists?
“We are helping that service member make the connection at their next spot. Or for the first time. When this program started in 2009 that was easier said than done. Especially for service members.”
Dr. Polizzi expresses that people leaving the service are going from one culture to another, and service members who are leaving the military are most likely going from a very regimented environment to being more independent.
“We discovered to help that person navigate the hurdles and barriers from one healthcare system to another requires a masters level education or behavioral health provider. We don’t make anyone join the program- it’s voluntary. The program is all about service member empowerment. The skill of our clinicians is helping bring that out. It takes the expertise to help the service member identify those barriers and keep the momentum going. We’re not doing the clinical work ourselves but we’re laser focused on getting them care. We want to work as effectively as possible with that member to get them connected so the down time between therapists is minimized.”
Q: What is done to eliminate the “down time” from a service member deciding to seek services to being connected to those services?
“Down time depends on what the goals of the service members are. A lot of veterans are in transition- so it’s likely they have a lot on their mind. The moving trucks are coming, they’re thinking I’ve got to get a job, find a place to live etc.… somewhere on that list further down is healthcare. Even further down that list is mental or behavioral health care. If I could wave the magic wand it would be as fast as possible. You can’t go to an appointment if you don’t have money for the bus or car. So, there's a certain hierarchy of needs here that we help prioritize with the service member/veteran to help get them connected to care as fast as possible in a way that will work for them.”
“We connect folks to the right people at the next healthcare setting. If someone wants to get connected to the Veterans Administration (VA) – there are VA assets we work with daily. If someone wants to connect with TRICARE we work within that system. We don’t do referrals by name. So for example if a person is looking to get services from Dr. Smith etc., we just work with the VA and then it’s on them to set up the appointment.
“Many service members are eligible for care at the VA. what we find is connecting to the VA or any healthcare system can be overwhelming especially with the cultural differences. The VA does a nice job of connecting people to care and the inTransition program is there to be a safety net. We refer the most people to VA- it should be pointed out not everyone is eligible for the VA.”
Q: Why is it important that the inTransition clinicians are required to be mental health care providers?
“It is a large task for a lot of people to make this transition between not just health care providers but entire systems. All of our coaches are licensed to deal with the frustration that may bring and can help level set their expectations. They’ve all provided care in the past. For a lot of people when seeking mental health care- they’d almost rather put their hand on a hot stove. We provide them with the tools and resources so that the ownness is only on the service member or veteran.”
“And I really can't understate or overstate the cultural differences between being a service member or National Guard guardsmen and then going into a situation where it's entirely on your own shoulders to figure out your health care. Our program is there to help those people not throw in the towel. And then they drop out of care. We’re not making anyone doing anything we find the motivation within that veteran to help them further their own care. We’re not giving advice or pep talks we’re helping them find what matters for that service member.”
“We meet the member where they are – we get calls saying, ‘I was doing CBT I’ve completed 9 sessions and I’m looking for something else and I can get there Tuesday mornings etc.’ but that’s not everyone – some are not sure what they want. We get a lot of people seeking care for the first time. Their partner, family member, child whoever says “You’re not quite yourself maybe you should take to someone about it.” On google it’s the wild west, care is expensive and a lot of healthcare doesn’t cover mental health care. It can become overwhelming. The program is there to meet the service member where they are -are they interested and then go from there.”
Q: What would you say is the biggest mental health issue facing these military members?
“What’s great about the program is we are diagnosis agnostic, meaning you don’t need a diagnosis or already be in care to participate. We are come one come all. If you’re experiencing stress about the transition you can talk to someone or if its comorbid depression and anxiety we can help figure that out. Our mental health coaches know all about it, they are generalists- nothing that is brought to them they can’t handle. Our goal is to help the individual get connected to care with their next therapist.”
Q: Has COVID-19 made any impact on the inTransition program?
“I can tell you we are seeing a lot of service members that are separating from the service and people that are getting connected to care at rates that we haven’t seen before. It’s at an all time high.. They did a 4-year career and they’re retiring etc. We don’t have any requirements for how long someone had to be in service to be eligible for the program. Or you can have a 30-year career and you’re retiring.”
“We often hear the phrase honorably discharged and some are not – for those folks the number of resources that you’re allowed access to can be limited but not in our program. It doesn’t matter what your discharge status is- you’re allowed to use the program like anyone else.”
There is also no time limit from when the service member separated from service. They may have retired or have been discharged 6 days ago, 6 months, ago or 6 years. It doesn’t matter how much time has passed.
Q: Do community providers tend to refer to this program? What is the utilization rate? How many members are involved approximately?
“We have a number of service members who avail themselves to the program – that can run anywhere from 7,000-8,000 a month but we’ve been trending upward.”
“It speaks to the need and that they don’t know where to go to get connected to mental or behavioral health care after they separate from service.”
About The Program:
The inTransition Program is a free confidential program that provides specialized coaching and assistance for service members, National Guard members, reservists, veterans, and retirees who need access to mental health care when relocating to another assignment, returning from deployment, transitioning between active duty and the Reserve component, preparing to leave military service, or any other time they need a new mental health provider, or need a provider for the first time.
• Call 1-800-424-7877
• Visit www.health.mil/inTransition
inTransition is a resource offered by the Defense health Agency (DHA). DHA is a combat support agency within the Department of Defense therefore inTransition is funded by the Department of Defense. The Department of Veterans Affairs is a separate government agency from the Department of Defense.