A decade ago, Navy Veteran Conan O’Rourke suffered two traumatic brain injuries (TBI). For him, receiving care that addresses all of his complex treatment and rehabilitation needs is critical for quality mental health and continued functionality. In 2018, Conan was connected with VA’s Polytrauma System of Care at his local VA. The program provides a comprehensive approach to helping with cognition and behavior, physical rehabilitation, and mental health.
“The first couple of years of VA treatment were ok but didn’t address some of the needs related to my TBI,” Conan shared. “Things changed in 2018 when I attended the Brain Injury Awareness Day event on Capitol Hill and learned about the Polytrauma System of Care.”
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, specialized care offerings like those of VA’s Polytrauma System of Care are now available virtually. These offerings allows Veterans to access complex treatment options remotely. For example, the Tele TBI Program at VA Hudson Valley — comprised of a TBI specialist, speech therapist, mental health provider, and TBI telehealth coordinator — specializes in managing TBI and co-occurring conditions for Veterans from the comfort of their own homes.
