NEW YORK– VFR Healthcare (Veteran & First Responder Healthcare), the sister company of Strive Health, today announced a new initiative to provide evidence-based, trauma-informed Telemental Health services designed specifically for First Responders, healthcare and emergency professionals, and their families on the front line of the coronavirus (COVID-19) national crisis.
Dr. Jeffrey Geller, the President-elect of the American Psychiatric Association (APA) and member of VFR’s Board of Advisors, reiterated the value of VFR’s initiative: “Like stress in a natural disaster, coronavirus/COVID-19 stress requires rapid identification and intervention. VFR’s approach of Telemental Health for first responders, healthcare and emergency professionals, and their families is just what the doctor ordered. We must take care of those who take care of us or we’ll have fewer of them and fewer of us.”
Leveraging VFR Healthcare’s network of trained clinicians and proprietary clinical programming, this initiative will significantly enhance access to solution-focused brief treatment for the nation’s heroes on the forefront of the crisis who are ensuring the safety and well-being of the population and those who are sick.
“As a former Naval Officer who helped plan and conduct emergency disaster relief operations in Japan during the 2011 earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear meltdown and helped plan and execute the 2014 Ebola response, I am acutely aware of the importance of providing mental health counseling to first responders during a crisis,” said Eric Golnick, CEO of VFR Healthcare. “In addition to being important for the first responder’s long-term health and resiliency, providing counseling during a crisis is also critically important so that first responders can endure the stress of the crisis and continue to play the pivotal role in addressing the crisis head-on.”
VFR Healthcare is partnered with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and has the privilege of providing trauma-informed behavioral health treatment services to Veterans to reduce suicide. Like traumatic events in the military, VFR believes not remaining vigilant on dealing with stress on the front lines of a crisis causes erratic or harmful behaviors and impaired mission performance. If left untreated, it may develop into more chronic and hard-to-treat problems such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
VFR’s solution-focused brief treatment can:
- Limit health and psychological consequences;
- Minimize disruptions to daily life; and
- Increase resilience for individuals on the front lines of the crisis who are ensuring the safety and well-being of the population and those who are sick.
All telemental health services provided by VFR Healthcare are in-network with major commercial health insurance companies, TRICARE, and the Veteran Community Care Network.
“As a company run by Veterans and First Responders, we are mission-focused,” added Eric Frieman, co-founder of VFR Healthcare. “In an incredible display of our commitment members of our staff have donated portions of their salaries to cover any patient responsibility (copay, coinsurance, or deductible) for First Responders, healthcare and emergency professionals, and their families receiving solution-focused brief telemental health treatment from VFR Healthcare during the COVID-19 national crisis.”
Individual First Responders, healthcare and emergency professionals or their families seeking treatment should reach out to (800) 530-1250 or telehealth@vfrhealthcare.com.
About VFR Healthcare
VFR (Veteran & First Responder) Healthcare, the sister company of Strive Health, is a Veteran-owned and operated organization that is committed to increasing the access to, and quality of, outpatient addiction and mental health treatment for Veterans, First Responders, and their families. VFR has developed clinical programming designed specifically for Veterans, first responders, and their families and incorporates these principles to all programs and services provided. All Strive centers proudly serve VFR Healthcare and offer a wide range of confidential, trauma-informed outpatient treatment programs and services for adults and adolescents suffering from Substance Use Disorder and/or co-occurring mental health conditions, including intensive outpatient programs, outpatient programs, and early intervention services.