Veteran Survey

Let Your Voice be Heard!

You might receive a phone call from a research organization named RAND asking you to take part in a survey of veterans who have received Veterans Health Administration (VHA) mental health care. Here are some facts about this telephone call.

Why is RAND calling veterans?
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) asked RAND to assess the mental health care that veterans receive.  RAND wants to talk with about 5,800 veterans about their experiences with VHA mental health services.

Will all veterans be called?
No, RAND will call only a portion of veterans who have received VHA mental health services for this survey. RAND will send a letter in advance to each veteran selected.

Why is this important?
The information you provide will help VA improve their mental health services.

What about privacy?
All of the information you provide is confidential. RAND is not part of the VA. RAND is a nonprofit independent research organization.

When will the phone calls take place?
The phone calls are scheduled to begin in late October 2008. RAND will call veterans until they have reached about 5,800 people. This may take until August 2009.

How long does the phone call take?
The phone call will take about 25-30 minutes. RAND will call at a time that works best for you. After the phone call, you will be sent $10 to thank you for taking the time to tell us about the care you received.

Do you have to do this?
You do not have to talk with the caller if you do not want to. However, it is important for veterans to help the VA understand what works and what does not work. We want to hear from veterans.

The Honorable Harry N. Walters, former VA Administrator and Managing Commissioner of the Commission on the Future for America's Veterans said ..."I urge all veterans who are contacted by the research team for this telephone survey participation to do so in order that their voice may be heard."