Michelle Kveum, OBHAW Clinical Director, and Jared Eakin, Executive Director of Scars & Stripes.
Ouachita Behavioral Health & Wellness (OBHAW) and Scars & Stripes, Inc. have partnered to provide coordinated services for veterans in Garland County, combining clinical behavioral health care with case management, housing support, and benefits navigation.
Veterans can contact either organization directly to access services. Services through Scars & Stripes are provided at no cost.
Garland County is home to approximately 7,875 veterans, representing about 9.8% of the population, according to U.S. Census Bureau estimates. Nationally, 6,398 veterans died by suicide in 2023, an average of 17.5 per day. About 61% had no contact with VA health care in the year prior.
“Our veterans deserve care that meets them where they are,” said Susan Smith, CEO of OBHAW. “This partnership helps ensure they can access both clinical care and the support services needed to move forward.”
Scars & Stripes operates from the Hot Springs Community Resource Center, 109 Hobson Ave., providing case management, housing and utility assistance, transportation support, and help navigating benefits. The organization also offers suicide prevention services, court-ordered anger management programs, and assistance obtaining identification and military records. Staff are available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and can meet veterans at OBHAW locations when needed.
OBHAW provides outpatient behavioral health services, including individual therapy, crisis services, medication management, and substance use treatment.
Veterans can reach Scars & Stripes at 501-363-5417 or info@scarsandstripesinc.org. Additional information about OBHAW is available at obhaw.org.
