Washington, D.C. - Today, Congressman Joe Donnelly’s office received confirmation from the VA of Northern Indiana that mental health care services will resume at the South Bend VA Clinic this coming Tuesday. The clinic was forced to suspend offering mental health services to its veterans after resident psychologist Dr. Michael Sheehan was let go.
“I was happy to hear that the VA came up with a solution to continue providing mental health services at the South Bend VA Clinic, despite the absence of Dr. Sheehan,” said Donnelly. “It was unacceptable that our veterans were being denied mental health services due to a personnel issue.”
VA officials confirmed that the VA will provide the South Bend VA Clinic with mental health clinicians from their operations in Marion and Ft. Wayne twice a week. This schedule will start on Tuesday, February 5th.
The VA is also currently reaching out to veterans who received mental health services from Dr. Sheehan to determine their needs and update them on the situation.
In the long run, the VA has lined up one mental health worker and is working on hiring a few more for the South Bend VA Clinic.
As was the case prior, if veterans require immediate mental health services outside the scheduled mental health hours at the South Bend VA Clinic, they are referred to Madison Center.
“I will continue to follow up with the VA to make sure they are following through on their plan to provide mental health services to veterans served at the South Bend VA Clinic,” said Donnelly. “No veteran should be denied the care he or she needs, and I will keep working to see that all Hoosier veterans have access to top-quality healthcare.”
To reach the Madison Center, call (574) 234-0061.
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