Alabama's veterans have higher rates of serious mental illness, opioid misuse, and alcohol misuse than non-veterans, according to a report Wednesday to the Veterans Mental Health Steering Committee.

David Albright, principal investigator for VitAL, a research partnership of the University of Alabama and state agencies, presented the information to the Steering Committee, which the Legislature created in May.

In addition to the higher rates of mental illness and opioid and alcohol misuse, state Mental Health Commissioner Kim Boswell said the VitAL report showed an overall shortage of services for veterans and disparities in some geographic areas.

Read the presentation.

The information gathering is part of the Steering Committee's mandate.

The bill creating the committee, passed in May, requires the Alabama Department of Mental Health (ADMH) and the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs to collaborate on developing a comprehensive plan for mental health, substance use, and other services for veterans.

The plan is due April 1, 2025.

The report from VitAL was to show the landscape of mental health needs for Alabama veterans and establish a baseline on the rates of mental illness, substance use, and other problems, as well as the availability of services.

The legislation creating the Steering Committee authorizes the ADMH to establish pilot programs for veterans services. Boswell said the agency is preparing to issue a request for proposals that will be funded with $3 million in opioid settlement funds.

"There is a need for creativity and innovation," Boswell said. "And so we would love to see some pilot projects that would demonstrate really strong peer support programs. And then we would know if those are successful - if we needed to replicate them statewide."

Wednesday's meeting was the third for the 20-member steering committee, which includes lawmakers, state officials, representatives of veterans services and support organizations, and mental health and substance use providers.

R.B. Walker of Alabama Power spoke to the Steering Committee about the idea of a public-private partnership to help veterans by connecting them with employers, educational programs through colleges and trade schools, peer support through veterans organizations, and mental health services.

Walker said the proposed Alabama Service Member Welcome & Transition Center would help veterans find careers to provide the purpose and sense of belonging they need after their military careers end. He said it could help rural and underserved communities and that Alabama Power was eager to collaborate with the Steering Committee.

Boswell said she is encouraged by the ideas being generated.

"Per capita we have a lot more vets than other states," Boswell said. "So really trying to address their health and behavioral health needs is really important.

"I think you heard that from everybody that spoke today. I think you've seen it in the attendance at this committee meeting. I think there is just a real commitment to address the health and behavioral health needs of the veterans in our state because they're really important to us."

The committee is expected to meet again in January.