Crisis Stabilization

A picture hanging on the wall

A picture hanging on the wall, simple frame enclosing a smiling veteran in a time and place that they are content to have their image captured, is often found as a highly personal reminder of a life lost far too soon. Many of the veteran’s close friends and family are all aware that things are not right; that the veteran’s behaviour is not the brother or sister they knew before.

One such story is that of a Marine lieutenant — five tours of duty, Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). He was given 30 days of residential care in a hospital and then discharged. His brother, seriously concerned about his health, took him to the Mental Health section of a VA facility and informed staff that his brother was suicidal. He was discharged that day after being seen by a mental health therapist, given a bottle of pills, and placed in a motel room. He died two days later. His brother, a lawyer, later shared that he had made it clear his brother was in acute suicidal crisis when he brought him in for help.

His death is a reminder of why the Compact Act was created — to ensure veterans in acute suicidal crisis receive timely, appropriate, and sustained care in the setting best equipped to meet their needs. The Pink Berets proudly offers treatment under the Compact Act to veterans in need of life-saving care.

What is the COMPACT ACT?

The COMPACT Act, signed into law in December 2020, is landmark legislation designed to address the veteran suicide crisis by expanding access to mental health care—particularly in emergency situations. It became fully effective on January 17, 2023. The COMPACT Act represents a paradigm shift in how the VA engages with community mental health providers and suicidal veterans. It prioritizes immediate, life-saving care over administrative eligibility barriers—especially for underserved groups like MST survivors, OTH veterans, and those with no prior VA connection.

Emergency Mental Health Care Access

Veterans experiencing an acute suicidal crisis can receive emergency mental health care from any community provider, at no cost, without prior VA enrollment or preauthorization.

  • Care may Include:
    • Inpatient or residential care (up to 30 days)
    • Outpatient care (up to 90 days)

Eligibility Criteria

A veteran qualifies if they meet any of the following:

  • Was discharged or released after more than 24 months of active duty
  • Served more than 100 days under a combat exclusion or in support of a contingency operation
  • Was sexually assaulted or harassed during service (MST survivors)
  • Experienced a suicide attempt or acute suicidal crisis

Free Services

The VA is responsible for covering all costs, even if the veteran is uninsured, ineligible for other VA services, or has an Other Than Honorable (OTH) discharge.

Provider Participation

Community providers may deliver care under the Act even without a formal VA Community Care Network (CCN) contract, as long as they meet state licensing and clinical standards.

What does treatment Look like?

Treatment under the COMPACT Act is designed to be rapid, trauma-informed, and comprehensive, focused on stabilizing veterans in acute suicidal crisis—regardless of discharge status or VA enrollment. It offers no-cost care through VA facilities or community providers, like CCC or The Pink Berets, that are licensed and qualified to deliver mental health crisis services.

Veteran Presents in Crisis

May call 988 (Press 1), walk into a facility, be referred by a family member, or arrive via EMS or law enforcement.

  • No need for preauthorization or VA enrollment
  • MST survivors and veterans with OTH discharges are fully eligible

Clinical Evaluation

Risk assessment for suicide or self-harm

  • Mental health history review
  • Screening for trauma, substance use, MST, and co-occurring disorders

Stabilization Phase

Residential or inpatient treatment in a licensed behavioral health facility

  • 24/7 clinical care (psychiatric, nursing, therapeutic support)
  • Medication management, safety planning
  • Individualized evidence based therapy

Integrated Mental Health Treatment

Trauma-focused therapies (EMDR, CPT, ACT, etc.)

  • Group therapy with other veterans
  • Dual diagnosis support for co-occurring substance use
  • MST-specific programming for survivors

Family Involvement & Peer Support

Optional family sessions, virtual or in person

  • Veteran peer specialists
  • Wellness programs and supportive activities

Transition

Transition planning and discharge coordination

  • Connection to VA or community-based outpatient services
  • Assistance with housing, benefits, or legal resources if needed
  • Referrals for MST, PTSD, TBI, or addiction treatment
  • Post-discharge check-ins to prevent relapse

Why it matters

  • Veterans who experience MST are significantly more likely to develop PTSD, depression, substance use disorders, and to experience homelessness or suicidal ideation.
  • MST survivors are nine times more likely to attempt suicide than other veterans without MST history.
  • According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, 1 in 3 women and 1 in 50 men who use VA healthcare report experiencing MST.