Jenny Boyer, director of Behavioral Medicine at the Jack C. Montgomery VA Medical Center, said a nationwide push by veterans hospitals to hire mental health professionals is “much needed.”
“So many vets, 25 percent of them, come in with mental health needs. There are more than just physical needs that these people need help with,” Boyer said. As part of the effort by VA hospitals across the United States to boost mental health staff levels, Boyer said Muskogee’s VA anticipated filling 14 spots — 12 clinicians and two support personnel.
“I believe eight of those spots have been posted already,” Boyer said. “I’ve already received plenty of phone calls from people interested in the positions.”
Boyer said veterans, who often deal with post-traumatic stress issues, among other disorders upon returning from active-duty, often don’t understand they can receive treatment for their issues.
“The message we’re trying to send is there are treatment options available,” Boyer said. “And the treatment we offer works, we can help.”
A release from the Muskogee VA said veterans hospitals plan on adding 1,600 mental health professionals and almost 300 support staff. Most of the jobs are expected to be filled within six months, the release said, though some of the harder-to-fill jobs are expected to take a bit longer.
“Bringing in psychiatrists in the hardest part to accomplish,” Boyer said. “Especially in rural areas, which is what Muskogee falls under.”
The Department of Veterans Affairs said veterans hospitals provided mental health services to 1.3 million veterans in 2011 and have seen a 41 percent increase in veterans receiving mental health help since 2007.
Reach Dylan Goforth at (918) 684-2903 or dgoforth @muskogeephoenix.com.
Learn more
Interested mental health care providers can find additional information about careers online at www.vacareers.va.gov. Open positions will be announced online at www.usajobs.gov.
Okla. Teens Get Video of Deadly Tornado Overhead
Man Shot While Questioned in Boston Probe
School Storm Protection Spotty in Tornado Zones
9-year-old Tornado Victim Loved Family, Singing
Moore Native Toby Keith Tours Tornado Damage
Oklahoma Survivors, Heroes Survey Damage
Okla. City Mayor: Up to 13K Homes Hit by Tornado
Raw: Aftermath of Deadly Attack in London
Paperless Scanner, Vision of the Future
Florida FBI Shooting Has Boston Bombing Links
Garcetti Elected Los Angeles Mayor Over Greuel
Raw: New Video of Deadly Oklahoma Tornado
IRS Official Pleads 5th Amendment
Lawyer: Feds Investigating Susan Powell Case
