Primary Care Experience Paper

I spent my morning with Kathy Sullivan in the Primary Care Mental Health department at the VA hospital. Kathy’s job is to screen Veterans who are referred for a mental health assessment by their primary care providers. A Veteran’s physician will meet with them for annual visits and/or any other medical care that the Veteran requires. During their visit, if the physician at any time feels the Veteran is in need of a mental health assessment, they will send the patient over to Kathy’s office or have Kathy come over and meet with the patient to ensure that a visit is scheduled before the Veteran leaves the building. This ensures that Veterans are receiving help physically and mentally as well.
Kathy stated that she generally meets with older Veterans who have difficulty
Not only were the sessions therapeutic for the patients but I also felt as though they were therapeutic for me as well. Sitting and listening to these Veterans talk about their experiences and venting their frustrations was enlightening for me, but the best part was when it was time for them to leave. The walked into the office with very serious expressions on their faces but when it was time to leave they were smiling and almost seemed as if a weight had been lifted from their shoulders. If the Veteran’s primary care physician had not referred them directly to Kathy for screening after their visit, these people might not get help they clearly needed. Getting someone connected to help immediately prevents him or her from going home and second-guessing the idea of reaching out for help. This greatly increases the chances that someone will get the help that they need and deserve. I left Kathy’s office that day feeling a sense of accomplishment and reward for being able to help someone just by sitting there and listening to them. It is amazing how much we can help someone without even laying a hand on