Rosecrance hosts event focused on providing veterans access to mental health care in Rockford

By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD  — Rosecrance gathered experts and advocates at its Harrison Avenue campus on Thursday for an event focused on the behavioral health needs of the region’s veterans and finding ways to provide more access to care.

The event included personal stories from veterans, discussion about effective treatment approaches, presentations from Rosecrance staff and a tour of its Florian Program, which offers mental health treatment tailored to veterans and first responders.

“Here are the individuals who put their life on the line through their experience being a soldier throughout the world,” said Danial DeGryse, director of the Rosecrance Florian Program. “We need to offer them an opportunity to support their longevity, their mental health, their families and ultimately their recovery.”

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There were more than 6,100 veteran suicides in 2020, an average of about 17 a day, according to the most recent report from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The suicide rate for veterans was 57% higher than that for non-veterans.

“It is our mission to improve access to that care and to remove the stigma that’s affiliated with substance-use disorders, mental-health disorders, behavioral-health disorders in general,” said Greg Tierney, vice president of clinical operations for Rosecrance.

The number of veteran suicides has been declining since 2006, according to the VA report. It remains the second-leading cause of death for veterans younger than 45.

“More than half of veterans who deal with a mental illness did not receive treatment last year, and more than 90% of veterans who may have a substance-use disorder did not receive treatment,” state Sen. Steve Stadelman said. “Those are amazing numbers that shows you the need that’s out there.”

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Stadelman and state Rep. Maurice West, who is the vice chairman of the state House’s Mental Health and Addiction Committee, both spoke as part of the event.

Rosecrance leaders say events like this can help reduce the stigma surrounding talking about mental health.

“It’s something that we didn’t talk about as kids,” said DeGryse, who is 59. “My father, who was a Marine veteran, struggled with substance use and mental health they didn’t talk about.”

The VA estimates a 30% increase in need for veterans mental health services over the next decade.

This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on X at @KevinMHaas or Instagram @thekevinhaas and Threads @thekevinhaas