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Welcome to Patient Care Services (PCS)
Leading VHA to Excellence in
Clinical Care and Healthcare Delivery |
In the Spotlight
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Suicide Prevention Hotline for Veterans Helps Save Lives
VA's Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1-800-273-8255, press "1") has rescued more than 3,000 Veterans and provided counseling for more than 120,000 Veterans and their loved ones at home and overseas since its inception in July 2007. The Lifeline (www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org) is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week by trained mental health professionals prepared to deal with immediate crisis.
In addition, VA has given all medical workers training in suicide prevention, created suicide prevention coordinators at each medical center and given primary care clinics responsibility for mental health screening. Suicide prevention is part of the VA Mental Health Awareness Campaign. VA's Office of Mental Health Services in the Patient Care Services Office operates the largest mental health program in the country.
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Clinical Resources
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The Pocket Guide to Patient Healthcare Communication  is a useful tool for counseling patients in any stage of behavioral change. The guide discusses steps to facilitate health behavior change, assessing patients' readiness to change, tips on self-management plans and more.
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