September 8, 2009 - Demitrus Edmond wasn't looking for special treatment when he arrived at Houston's VA hospital early Tuesday morning. He just wanted somebody to talk to.  "Shoot, I'm not going to lie to you, I'm pretty stressed out," the 29-year-old Iraq war veteran said.

Edmond's claim for service-related disability benefits has been pending with the Department of Veterans Affairs for three years, tangled up in appeals. In January, he got laid off from his service industry job. Money's tight now, so he's living with family, but he knows he can't do that forever.

"I knew I needed (a mental health) evaluation, but I didn't really know that there was a place I could go," the former Army military policeman said.

As it turned out, Edmond was in luck. On Tuesday the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center on Holcombe Boulevard opened a new post-deployment clinic for veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Established in response to a nationwide mandate by the VA, the clinic is a "one-stop shop" where returning veterans like Edmond can walk in for free psychological and physical health screenings. They will also be able to meet with patient advocates and social workers or seek advice and information about VA benefits and community resources.

The clinic's staff said they hope the streamlined process will encourage more veterans to seek help during the often-rocky transition from the combat zone to civilian life.

"It's very important for us to get them early on, as early as possible," said Fern Taylor, coordinator of the medical center's support team for veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan. "We don't want to be a crisis clinic; we want to be an early intervention clinic."

More than 250 new Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans flood into VA hospitals and clinics across the country every day, according to records obtained through the Freedom of Information Act by Veterans for Common Sense, a national advocacy group.

"We're glad to see VA emphasize the returning veterans because our research shows, based on VA reports, that younger veterans were waiting longer to see doctors and were receiving less money when their disability claims were approved," said Paul Sullivan, executive director of Veterans for Common Sense.

Back from overseas

In Houston, 1 in 10 patients seen at Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center have been deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan, said Dr. Drew Helmer, a primary care physician who works with returning veterans at the clinic.

"I think (the clinic) is really going to give us a stronger physical presence here in the hospital, and I think that's been missing," Helmer said. "It's going to give an anchor for Iraq and Afghanistan veterans, and they can tell their buddies, ‘Hey, I know where you can go.' "

Located in a renovated first-floor suite on the hospital's east side, the clinic has its own receptionist and small waiting room. The veteran checks in and sees a nurse, who records his vital signs and conducts a preliminary health screening. Then the veteran meets with a clinical social worker for a mental health assessment.

If the veteran needs same-day or emergency care, the clinic has a consulting room for meetings with specialists. If there's no immediate need for follow-up, the veteran is assigned to a physician or nurse practitioner for future appointments. The special treatment at the clinic put Edmond at ease.

"A lot of veterans are not going to be as quick to get help they need because they don't want people to think they're crazy or they have problems. It's hard because it kind of hurts your ego or your pride," he said. "You've gotta show them love and kindness, make them feel welcome, make them feel you want to help them. You have to win their confidence and trust, because if they don't feel safe, they're not going to let you help them."

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Houston Chronicle