One new psychotherapist began work at the Veterans Affairs Salt Lake City Health Care System this week and four more employees are being recruited, part of a nationwide surge to better treat veterans with mental health problems.
Nationally, the VA is hiring 1,600 mental health clinicians and 300 support staff to keep up with the demands of veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan with post traumatic stress, depression, substance abuse and other challenges.
The Salt Lake City VA system’s five new positions are its share of the national expansion, said Scott F. Hill, chief of mental health for the VA, which serves all but two counties in Utah, as well as areas of southeast Idaho and northeast Nevada. Salt Lake Tribune
