Improving Mental Health Care for Veterans

Congresswoman Kaptur welcomed the announcement by Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric K. Shinseki that his department would add approximately 1,600 mental health clinicians to meet the increased demand for services.

“The announcement comes at a most opportune time,” said Congresswoman Kaptur, noting that a new VA clinic is scheduled to open this fall on campus of the University of Toledo Medical Center.

At the new clinic, she said, the VA will provide psychological examinations for compensation and pension as well as intensive case management.

“We know the need is out there, and we must be prepared to meet it,” said Congresswoman Kaptur.

In an announcement in Washington, Secretary Shinseki said, “We must ensure that all veterans seeking mental health care have access to timely, responsive and high-quality care.”

In the past three years, the VA has devoted more personnel and resources to mental health services to serve the growing number of veterans seeking mental health care. Since 2007, the department has seen a 35 percent increase in the number of veterans seeking mental health services and a 41 percent increase in mental health staff.