The Department of Veterans Affairs has announced that it will increase its mental health staff by 1,900, including 1,600 mental health clinicians – nurses, psychiatrists, psychologists, and social workers as well as nearly 300 support staff to its existing workforce of 20,590 mental health staff, part of an ongoing review of mental health operations.
"As the tide of war recedes, we have the opportunity, and the responsibility, to anticipate the needs of returning veterans," said VA secretary Eric Shinseki, adding, "History shows that the costs of war will continue to grow for a decade or more after the operational missions in Iraq and Afghanistan have ended."
VA projected the additional staff needs based on a model for team delivery of outpatient mental health services, plus growth needs for the veterans crisis line and an anticipated increase in compensation and pension/integrated disability evaluation system exams.
It said funds would be allocated from the current budget to all 21Veterans Integrated Service Networks this month to begin recruitment immediately.