“By eliminating geographical barriers and offering flexible scheduling options, clients can access timely and effective mental health support from the comfort and privacy of their own home.” ~ Jodie Nierintz, Senior Director of Clinical Operations, Telemynd
Serving our country comes with great honor and pride, but Service members and their families also face many challenges throughout their service, including separation from loved ones, moves across the country and deployment. After service, transitioning to civilian life can be difficult as well. Families must rebuild relationships, while Veterans search for meaningful employment and deal with physical and emotional injuries that can come with service.
Managing these challenges can lead to increased rates of mental health conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression and anxiety. However, according to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), fewer than 50% of returning Veterans who need mental health care receive any treatment.
VA and its vast Community Care Network, supported by TriWest Healthcare Alliance (TriWest) in Regions 4 and 5, are working to ensure mental health services are accessible and convenient for Veterans who need treatment to live full and productive lives after service.
A Lifelong Passion for Mental Health Care
Jodie Nierintz, a licensed marriage and family therapist, is the senior director of clinical operations at Telemynd, one of the telebehavioral health platforms in TriWest’s network that works alongside VA to provide Veterans with timely, accessible, high-quality mental health care from the convenience of home.
“Supporting individuals through their toughest moments and witnessing their resilience and capacity for growth is incredibly fulfilling to me,” Jodie shared.
Jodie’s passion for mental health care began at a young age.
“Growing up, I witnessed firsthand the effects of mental health diagnoses on family dynamics. This sparked a personal interest in the field,” she recalled.
Jodie’s education and career have led her to spend more than 20 years working to improve mental health care services, address unmet needs and increase access to care for those who need it most.
Like many providers, Jodie saw an important shift taking place in health care at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Almost overnight, everyone adapted to using platforms that allowed them to communicate with providers from anywhere,” she remembered.
For Jodie, this was a pivotal moment. She joined a telebehavioral health platform that was using online tools and services to increase access to mental health care during a difficult time in many people’s lives.
Benefits of Telebehavioral Health Care for Veterans
Telehealth, including telebehavioral and telemental health, allows people to access care wherever they are through online platforms, often reducing wait times and geographic barriers to care. While many Veterans find success using in-person therapy sessions, telehealth is another way that VA, TriWest and its community partners are working to increase access to important care for Veterans.
“By eliminating geographical barriers and offering flexible scheduling options, clients can access timely and effective mental health support from the comfort and privacy of their own home,” Jodie shared.
This may benefit those Veterans who face a long commute to reach a provider or who are waiting to get an appointment with someone locally. VA and its community providers believe it’s important to connect Veterans with providers who specialize in treating Veterans and understand their unique experiences. Jodie acknowledges that telebehavioral health platforms must do the same.
“Our providers are uniquely equipped to serve this population, with many clinicians possessing specialized training, prior military experience and extensive backgrounds in treating the mental health challenges prevalent among Veterans,” she said.
Virtual therapy is one way Veterans and their families can receive the support they need and deserve, regardless of their location or schedule constraints. However, individuals must seek the treatment option that works best for them, which may include exploring in-person treatment options as well.
Success Stories
Jodie’s passion for what she does is found in the joy she has when talking about the Veterans who have benefited from using a telehealth platform.
She recalled a 25-year-old Veteran from Tennessee who was diagnosed with PTSD, depression and anxiety. This Veteran opted to try telebehavioral health care to help manage his increasingly suicidal thoughts. Within four days of discussing his needs with a member of the care team, he found a therapist and began receiving mental health care. Now, he has significantly decreased his suicidality scores.
Success stories like this are what motivate Jodie, her leadership team and its providers to serve Veterans with dedication and compassion, reaffirming their commitment, alongside VA and all its community providers, to support those who have served our country.
“Each success story fuels our passion to deliver exceptional care and ensure every client receives the support they need to overcome their challenges and thrive,” she said.
Telebehavioral health care is another tool Veterans and their families can use to meet their mental health care needs. Explore additional mental health care options, such as in-person therapy, family therapy, support groups and more through VA’s mental health services and get the care you deserve.