This is random and maybe kinda vague but it's for a friend so bare with me here.

My friend's dad is a vet, and having some acute depression and anger, all kind stemming from chronic pain and, well the fam is just kind of in a world of hurt right now and according to them, the VA up there is terrible and kinda blowing them off.

So I know it's a longshot but I just thought I'd see what I could scrounge up with the aggie network.

Where exactly are they located?

Is he a veteran who is service connected to the VA, or did he retire from the military after 20 with a pension? If he retired, he should have Tricare for life which could be used to find another doctor/hospital; he would also have the right to be treated at any active duty military medical center. VA hospitals can be very hit or miss ( I don't know much about Salt Lake, but I do know that the one in Denver has some good physicians and an excellent reputation) while active duty medical centers (Walter Reed, Brooke, NMC San Diego, etc.) are generally a sight better.

If he does not have full retirement benefits, the only option is to find a different hospital in Salt Lake or go to a different city to utilize their VA hospital. Solace can be taken in the fact that it appears that his family is very involved and supportive. Every study of patients with psychiatric illness has shown that the number one facto in good outcomes is family support.