Collins, Maine colleagues seek in-state VA mental health, substance abuse treatment facility

Maine has no long-term mental health or substance abuse care available at its U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) facilities, a situation that must be addressed, said U.S. Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME).

“This unacceptable situation for Maine veterans has continued for too long,” wrote Sen. Collins and her Maine colleagues in a bipartisan Aug. 21 letter sent to VA Secretary Robert Wilkie urging the department to establish such a facility in their home state.

The delegation’s request supports one made by VA Maine Healthcare System to establish a permanent Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Unit to provide long-term beds dedicated to serious mental illness and substance abuse disorder, according to their letter.

“This lack of local mental health services presents an exceptionally difficult choice for Maine veterans who seek mental health and substance abuse treatment: either receive care far away from their family and support networks or forego evaluation and treatment out of concern for having to leave their communities,” the lawmakers wrote.

In fact, because Maine lacks such facilities, U.S. military veterans are sent to out-of-state VA facilities in Vermont, Connecticut and Massachusetts, according to the letter, which was also signed by U.S. Sen. Angus King (I-ME) and U.S. Reps. Chellie Pingree (D-ME) and Jared Golden (D-ME).

Sen. Collins and her colleagues cited information from VA Maine Healthcare System demonstrating the need for a permanent, in-state mental health and substance abuse treatment center at the existing Togus VA Medical Center in Augusta, Maine.

“There is no substitute for Maine veterans being able to receive these critical services from the VA,” wrote Sen. Collins and the Maine members, “as VA providers are better trained to help veterans overcome the unique challenges that can stem from military service in general and combat service in particular.”