St. Luke’s University Health Network and the Carbon County Veteran’s Affairs Office are working to align veterans with health care services and benefits, including those expanded through a new law.

Since July, the Network has provided space for the Carbon County VA’s satellite office at St. Luke’s Lehighton Campus.

“We encourage veterans, especially those who may have been exposed to toxins during their military career, to stop by,” said Christine LeClair, Director of Veteran Affairs Carbon County. “I hope having a satellite location with ample parking and less traffic will encourage veterans to pop in and see what benefits they may be eligible to receive.”

The main Carbon County Veterans Affairs office is in Jim Thorpe.

In August, Congress passed the PACT Act, which expands eligibility for coverage to generations of veterans exposed to toxins.

“By now, I am sure that most people have heard about Agent Orange, Camp Lejeune water and the burn pits in Iraq and Afghanistan,” LeClair said. “The passage of the recent PACT Act legislation has expanded benefits for presumptive health conditions for those who were exposed to Agent Orange during Vietnam and the toxins associated with burn pits. Camp Lejeune Justice Act has shed light on the health conditions that the water may have caused at Camp Lejeune.”

The VA sees veterans from all branches and eras injured physically or mentally injured. “It is important to identify these veterans to not only address these health challenges and connect them with care but to also assist them in applying for monetary compensation benefit,” she said.

The VA office space was part of the emergency department of the former Gnaden Huetten Memorial Hospital.

St. Luke’s relocated emergency services to St. Luke’s Carbon Campus and repurposed the space, renaming the hospital St. Luke’s Lehighton Campus. Laboratory and imaging, physical therapy and St. Luke’s Care Now walk-in center are among its services. Physician offices include primary care, cardiology, orthopedics, spine & pain and general surgery.

services at the campus

The Veteran’s Affairs Office at the St. Luke’s Lehighton Campus was dedicated in memory of combat veteran Chad Peyton, who served with Carbon County Office of Veterans Affairs Director Christine LeClair.

Peyton died by suicide last year.

Carbon County with approximately 5,000 veterans has led the state in veteran suicides, according to Center for Rural Pennsylvania data.

Locating the office in a hospital facilitates and encourages veterans coping with behavioral health issues to seek help available at the campus, LeClair said.

On Wednesdays, licensed social worker Denise Carey, MSW, LCSW, Director of the Scranton Vet Center, provides counseling.

The campus is also home to St. Luke’s Psychiatric Associates - Lehighton, which also offers counseling, the Adult and Older Adult Behavioral Health Units and the region’s first Behavioral Health Walk-in Outpatient Center.

Psychotherapists provide assessments and referrals to outpatient and inpatient services for patients seeking help with anxiety, panic attacks, depression, grief, thoughts of self-harm, mood swings, anger and school phobia.

If you, or someone you know, is considering suicide, call the Carbon County Crisis Line, 570-992-0879.

To schedule an appointment with Carey, call the Scranton Vet Center at 570-344-2676.

To learn more about St. Luke’s Psychiatry & Behavioral Health services, call 1-866-STLUKES or visit www.sluhn.org/psychiatry-and-behavioral-health.