By Robin RespautSAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) – Joey Cortez, a 24-year U.S. Air Force veteran, had been waiting since August to meet with a mental health specialist from the Department of Veterans’ Affairs. His anxiety heightened when he was among 2,400 employees laid off at VA following President Donald Trump’s initiative to reduce the federal workforce.
Cortez, who suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder, shared his struggles after losing his human resources job at VA. The layoff exacerbated his panic attacks and jeopardized his sobriety as a recovering alcoholic. Despite his urgent request for therapy, VA initially had no record of his need. After persistent follow-ups, he secured an appointment for August, a year later, only to receive a sudden slot due to a cancelation.
With over 9.31 million veterans receiving care from VA nationwide, the agency grapples with intricate challenges. Pat Murray from Veterans of Foreign Wars acknowledged the need to address redundancies and administrative lapses in care provision.
A leaked memo revealed plans for further personnel cuts at VA, raising concerns about mental health services. Nine current and former VA employees expressed worries about disrupted appointments, understaffed crisis hot-lines, and makeshift setups for telehealth consultations. Staffing reductions may intensify shortages and jeopardize care quality, according to a former VA Inspector General employee.
VA spokesperson Peter Kasperowicz assured that mental health professionals were not affected by previous staff reductions and efforts are underway to recruit more providers and improve wait times. Recent court orders have mandated reinstating thousands of dismissed probationary workers, including Cortez, whose pay was reinstated but work return was delayed.
The Veterans Health Administration within VA has faced significant challenges in maintaining mental health services amid ongoing changes.
Staffing shortages have been observed since 2015, particularly among mental health professionals, as reported by the OIG in the past year. Veterans often require specialized services to address conditions such as anxiety, trauma, depression, and substance abuse. The percentage of veterans receiving mental health services increased to 31% in 2022 from 20% in 2007, according to the VA. The rate of suicide among veterans is twice that of the general American population.
The VFW’s Murray expressed support for a comprehensive review of the VA’s mental health services but emphasized the need for a careful approach rather than drastic measures. In recent years, the agency has encouraged remote work to enhance access to telehealth services and reduce wait times, especially in rural areas where recruiting providers is challenging.
While providers are expected to return to VA facilities, veterans will still have access to telehealth appointments, according to the VA’s Kasperowicz. Recent weeks have seen an increase in demand for services among veterans who are also VA employees, with reports of rising stress levels and concerns about job security. Mental health professionals are feeling the strain, with some describing difficulties in finding private meeting spaces within VA facilities for telehealth visits, potentially compromising patient privacy.
Despite challenges, the VA reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring uninterrupted access to benefits and services for veterans as employees transition back to in-person work. Crisis line workers are exempt from the return-to-office policy, and the agency continues to respond promptly to calls for assistance. Concerns about overcrowding and space constraints persist among mental health providers, highlighting ongoing struggles as the transition back to office-based work unfolds.
