(COLORADO SPRINGS)– Cedar Springs Hospital in Colorado Springs hosted a conference on Tuesday, April 15 to discuss upgrades and new programs at its military clinic, to better serve the mental health needs in the military community.
“How do we complement the things that the government and the military is already doing and provide just another resource, because often it takes a village,” said Bob Kedelis, CEO of Cedar Springs Hospital.
The conference brought high-ranking military personnel and community members together to discuss how to tackle the mental health crisis many military installations are facing.
“It’s just one of those things that as the need arises and bases can’t handle some of their overflow for some of these needs and service members, it’s just become more and more out there,” said Kedelis.
Recent federal layoffs have impacted many resources and civilian staffing at military bases in our community, which is making it harder for military members to access the care they need.
“They’re always going to be at or near capacity oftentimes, so we create a pop-off valve for us to be able to see some of the folks that they wouldn’t be able to see,” said Matt Peterson, President of United Health Services.
Which is why Cedar Springs Hospital is adding new upgrades to its program, including a new exterior remodel, refurnishing living areas, and enhancing patient care programs.
“The whole point of it is to help service members deal with their substance abuse struggles and set them up for success in going back to active duty,” said Kedelis.
The military program is called New Choices, and it was created in 2001 at Cedar Springs Hospital. It is a 28 day military ward for service members and veterans seeking mental health resources.
“I think that it’s extremely important to recognize that and those kinds of challenges and those kinds of needs that they have are best served by folks who have been in that situation before,” said Peterson.
Representatives from Cedar Springs told FOX21 that military members are given different treatments compared to other patients and each military member in the program often receives care from a veteran.
They said most hospitals group military and nonmilitary patients, but Cedar Springs Hospital separates them to better individualize military care. The ward is set up to mirror what the military encounters, so it is modeled after the barracks where active members are housed during enlistment.
If you or someone you know is an active-duty servicemember or a veteran who is struggling, you are not alone and there are resources available to help. To seek help from Cedar Springs Hospital, click here.
“Speak up, say something, get help. You’re not alone,” said Kedelis.
