Advancing Veteran-Centered Mental Health Care
DSS is empowering VA care teams with technologies and solutions that put Veterans at the center of their mental health journey.
Mental health awareness is more than a message. It’s a movement to elevate conversations, confront stigma, and strengthen the systems that support psychological well-being. It’s also a critical time to recognize the power of collaboration, innovation, and advocacy in shaping better Veteran mental health care.
At DSS, promoting Veteran-centered mental health care is an ongoing commitment that reflects our broader mission: to advance whole-person care through innovation, and to empower clinicians and staff at the Department of Veterans Affairs in delivering the highest standard of care to those who have served.
Primary Care-Mental Health Integration
Integrated care is essential to advancing whole-person wellness, enhancing coordination across disciplines, and reducing health care costs for the VA. By fostering collaboration among VA care teams, integration leads to more timely interventions, fewer care gaps, and improved outcomes for Veterans.
The VA has long been a national leader in Primary Care–Mental Health Integration (PC-MHI). This model embeds mental health professionals directly within Patient Aligned Care Teams (PACTs), enabling the team to deliver immediate, evidence-based care for conditions such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, and substance use — without requiring a separate mental health referral or clinic visit.
To sustain and expand this high-value model of care, it is critical that all VA medical centers maintain adequate staffing and resources to support PC-MHI excellence. Continued investment in integrated care not only honors commitment to Veteran-centered services but also strengthens clinical outcomes and operational efficiency across the VA system.
Advancing Integration for Better Mental Health Outcomes
Integrated care models are transforming mental health outcomes, particularly when behavioral health and primary care are seamlessly connected. By breaking down silos, integration fosters more coordinated, efficient treatment plans, reduces stigma, and improves clinical outcomes.
Within the VA, care teams are uniquely positioned to lead in this model of care. Leveraging technology that supports interdisciplinary collaboration – through standardized intakes, treatment planning, and shared documentation – can strengthen clinical best practices and help meet regulatory standards tied to long-term success.
To support this mission, DSS is dedicated to delivering flexible, cost-effective, web-based solutions that integrate directly with federal electronic health record. Purpose-built for multidisciplinary environments, DSS aims to streamline workflows, enhance team-based care, and empower providers to deliver timely, Veteran-centered mental health services.
Please click here to learn more about the DSS’ federal health solutions and how we elevate patient safety and care quality for Veterans.