Veterans Day is an official United States holiday that honors those who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces. This celebratory day is a lasting memorial of the humanity and spirit of the brave service men and women who have sacrificed so much to preserve our heritage of freedom. Unfortunately, for many of our veterans, the battle scars, lingering illnesses and disabling injuries help to keep the memory of their battles fresh on their minds.
DeKalb Community Service Board (CSB) is committed to paying tribute to our veterans not only on Veterans Day but every day of the year by paying special attention to the needs of those who have served our country. Each day, DeKalb CSB places the highest priority on meeting the treatment and community support needs of veterans struggling with mental illness and addictions.
In 2010, DeKalb CSB established a partnership with the Department of Veterans Affairs to launch the Residential Substance Abuse Treatment Program (RSAT), in Decatur, Georgia. The RSAT Program at Fox provides an array of high quality behavioral health treatment, therapy, addiction services and medical care to over 300 veterans each year.
According to the Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration, mental and substance use disorders caused more hospitalizations among U.S. troops in 2009 than any other cause. Furthermore, nearly 70% of homeless veterans also experience a substance use disorder. Approximately 50% of returning service members who need treatment for mental health conditions seek it, but sadly only more than half who receive treatment receive adequate care.
“As we salute the lives of those who have protected our country’s freedom, let us also honor their sacrifices by ensuring that they receive the necessary support and adequate care that they need,” said DeKalb CSB Community Relations Manager Jennifer Highsmith. “By doing that, we will grant them the dignity and respect that they deserve.”
