Hiring 1600 New Professionals to Treat Our Vets

What we know:

The number of Veterans seeking mental health care has increased dramatically over the past three years.

What we’re doing:

We are adding about 1,600 mental health clinicians to the existing VA workforce.

This includes:

• psychiatrists
• psychologists
• mental health nurses
• social workers
• marriage and family therapists
• professional mental health counselors

In addition, 300 people will be added to support this new clinical staff.

This boost will add to our existing workforce of 20,590 mental health clinical staff.

The health and well-being of the men and women who have bravely and selflessly served are our highest priorities.

At VA, we have the opportunity and the responsibility to anticipate the needs of returning Veterans. As they reintegrate into their communities, we must ensure that all Veterans have access to quality mental health care when needed.

“The Veterans Crisis Line has taken over 600,000 calls and saved over 21,000 Veterans’ lives.”

We have made strong progress, but we need to do more. And we are — every day.

Last year, VA provided quality, specialty mental health services to over 1.3 million Veterans.

In 2010, we simplified the rules for Veterans submitting PTSD-related disability claims.

This greatly eased access to care and benefits, and has contributed to growth in PTSD mental health service requirements.

Mental Health care in VA comprises an unparalleled system of comprehensive treatment and services to serve the individual mental health needs of Veterans and their families.

VA is absolutely committed to ensuring the safety of our Veterans, especially when they are in crisis. We provide access for 24/7 emergency care through our Emergency Departments and the Veterans Crisis Line, which has taken over 600,000 calls, and as of May 2012, has saved over 21,000 Veterans’ lives.

We need more professionals to help our Vets. As part of our current action in hiring 1,600 new Mental Health clinicians, we have implemented an aggressive recruitment and marketing effort to fill specialty mental health care occupations.

We are using targeted advertising and aggressive recruitment from a pipeline of qualified trainees/residents to fill our critical mental health vacancies.

We know our Vets need more help. VA is committed to adding more caring professionals who understand the sacrifice and dedication of our Veterans.