By Larry Dandridge
Last week’s article the The Island News on Veterans’ Benefits covered how to talk to someone at the VA right now (the VA’s Crisis Line); and how to connect with VA mental healthcare, no matter a veteran’s discharge status, service history, or eligibility for VA healthcare; and other sources of mental health care for veterans and transitioning service members.
This week’s article will cover how and where to make an appointment for Mental Health care in the Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center and Healthcare System area of service (the coastal counties of South Carolina and Northeast Georgia). Veterans are fortunate to have the world’s leading mental healthcare system, the VA Mental Healthcare System supporting them. Lowcountry S.C. and Georgia veterans are even more fortunate to have S.C.’s only Dual Five-Star rated Hospital and Healthcare System supporting them.
Getting started with VA Healthcare
As explained on the “VA Mental Health Services” at https://bit.ly/3H8KAoE, if you are a veteran (or if you know a veteran) who needs support for a specific mental health problem or if you are having problems sleeping, controlling your anger, or readjusting to civilian life — you are not alone. And the VA can help. VA mental health services range from peer support with other veterans to counseling, therapy, medication, or a combination of these options.
How to schedule a first VA Mental Health appointment
If you are a veteran and you are already using VA medical services, ask your primary care provider (Physician, Physician’s Assistant, or Nurse Practitioner) to help you make an appointment with a VA mental health provider. If you are a veteran and you are not already using VA medical services, contact your nearest VA medical center or Vet Center to talk about your needs.
Find your nearest VA Medical Center, Community-Based Outpatient Clinic, or Vet Center
Veterans can find their nearest VA Medical Center, Community-Based Outpatient Clinic, or Vet Center at the “Find VA Locations” webpage at https://bit.ly/3V4JiCO.
VA Medical Centers, Community-Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs), and Vet Centers in the Lowcountry of S.C. and coastal areas of Northeast Georgia. The Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center & Healthcare System (RHJVAMC&HCS) serves the Lowcountry (Coastal Areas) of S.C. and Georgia from the border of S.C. and N.C. to Brunswick, Ga. (about 70 miles south of Savannah, Ga.) – and inland to I-95 and Orangeburg, S.C. Some patients come from outside of this area. The following specific facilities are operated by or supported by the RHJVAMC&HCS:
1. The Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center: 109 Bee Street, Charleston, S.C. 29401-5799, Main phone: 843-577-5011, Mental Healthcare: 843-789-6500, webpage https://www.va.gov/charleston-health-care/. The RHJVAMC&HCS is a VA “flagship” and a regional center of excellence for Veteran-focused mental health care. The RHJVAMC&HCS Behavioral Health Department offers both inpatient and outpatient services, including telehealth appointments. They provide consultation, evaluation, and treatment for a variety of issues impacting emotional well-being. Services include psychiatry, psychology, services for veterans who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless, treatment for addictive disorders, including residential rehabilitation treatment programs, transition and care management for returning Veterans (OIF/OEF/OND), Dementia, and much more. Learn more at https://bit.ly/3DJQzhB.
2. Beaufort VA Clinic: (CBOC Inside the Naval Hospital) 1 Pinckney Boulevard, Beaufort, S.C. 29902-6122, webpage https://bit.ly/4c4WMoj, Main phone: 843-770-0444, Mental Healthcare: 843-789-6500. The Beaufort CBOC offers primary care and specialty health services, including mental health services.
3. Savannah, Georgia VA Clinic: (CBOC is near Hunter Army Airfield Ga.) 1170 Shawnee Street, Savannah, GA 31419-1618, webpage https://bit.ly/4a0tgye, Main phone: 912-920-0214, and Mental health care: 843-789-6500.
4. Goose Creek VA Clinic: (CBOC is on Charleston Naval Weapons Station) 2418 NNPTC Circle, Goose Creek, S.C. 29445-6314, webpage https://bit.ly/4c4xvdF, Main phone: 843-818-6999, ext. 343100, Mental health care: 843-789-7311. Primary care, audiology, speech, cardiology, dermatology, laboratory, pathology, and mental health including care for conditions like addiction, depression, anxiety, trauma, PTSD, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and OCD services are provided. All VA healthcare facilities offer same-day help. You may qualify even without enrolling in VA health care.
5. Hinesville, Georgia VA Clinic (CBOC): (The CBOC is not far from Fort Eisenhower – old Fort Stewart), 500 East Oglethorpe Highway, Hinesville, Ga. 31313-2804, webpage https://bit.ly/43aPoUb, Main phone: 912-408-2900, Mental health care: 843-789-6500. Hinesville CBOC offers primary care and specialty health services, including ophthalmology, physical therapy, occupational therapy, kinesiotherapy, radiology, returning service member care, telehealth, women veteran care, addiction and substance abuse care, PTSD care, mental health services, radiology, women’s care, and more.
6. North Charleston VA Clinic (CBOC): 6450 Rivers Avenue, North Charleston, S.C. 29406-4882, webpage https://bit.ly/3wDZf91, Main phone: 843-818-5100, Mental Healthcare 843-789-6500. This CBOC offers outpatient clinic, primary care, and specialty health services, mental health care, including nutrition counseling, dental and oral surgery, diabetic care, lab and pathology, radiology, returning service member care, social services, telehealth, whole health, women veteran care, laboratory services, women’s health care, and more. This clinic is near Joint Base Charleston.
7. Myrtle Beach VA Clinic (CBOC): 1800 Airpark Drive, Myrtle Beach, S.C. 29577-1412, webpage https://bit.ly/3wCGXoC, Main phone: 843-477-0177, Mental health care: 843-789-6500. Please note that the old Market Commons VA Clinic is permanently closed. The Myrtle Beach CBOC offers primary care and specialty health services, including mental health services, geriatrics, radiology, and more.
8. Trident VA Clinic (CBOC is Near Ladson, Charleston Southern University, and Trident Medical Center): 9237 University Boulevard, North Charleston, S.C. 29406-8908, webpage https://bit.ly/3T1Bn6A, Main phone: 843-574-1010, Mental health care: 843-789-7311. This CBOC offers mental health care (Psychiatry, PTSD, Suicide Prevention, etc.) care, pain management care, and more.
9. Charleston Vet Center: 3625 West Montague Avenue, North Charleston, S.C. 29418, webpage https://bit.ly/3P6pIlZ, Phone: 843-789-7000. Vet Centers are community-based counseling centers that provide a wide range of social and psychological services, including professional counseling to eligible veterans, service members, including National Guard and Reserve components, and their families. Counseling is offered to make a successful transition from military to civilian life or after a traumatic event experienced in the military.
Read about VA Vet Centers at https://yourislandnews.com/what-is-a-vet-center, in my article titled “What is a Vet Center?” published Jan. 10, 2024, in The Island News. Veterans and their family members can find a Vet Center at the “Find VA Locations” webpage https://bit.ly/492Zmtp.
Continued next week.
Larry Dandridge is a Vietnam War wounded warrior, disabled veteran, ex-Enlisted Infantryman, ex-Warrant Officer Pilot, and retired Lt. Colonel. He is a past Veterans Service Officer, a Patient Adviser at the RHJ VA Hospital, the Fisher House Charleston Good Will Ambassador, and the VP for Veteran Affairs for the local Army Association Chapter. Larry is the author of the award-winning book Blades of Thunder and a contributing free-lance writer with the Island News. Contact him at LDandridge@earthlink.net or 843-276-7164.
