World Mental Health Day is recognized annually on Oct. 10 to raise awareness of global mental health issues and encourage efforts to support the people experiencing them.
Our goal in providing mental health care at VA is to empower Veterans to take charge of their well-being and pursue fuller lives. We support this mission by ensuring that our mental health professionals have the newest technologies, facilities, and training at their fingertips.
Mental health at VA
VA mental health professionals offer services that range from counseling to emergency intervention. However, the key difference for mental health professionals who work at VA is their experience with Veterans who may have issues—both mental and physical—linked to their service.
Veterans may experience depression, anxiety, distressing memories from their military service, or stress related health concerns in addition to any immediate physical ailments. That makes mental health care at VA a challenging and rewarding area of focus.
“The best thing is when a client is done coming to see me, and I find out that later what we talked about and what we did is working for them when they’re on their own,” said Joseph Lasky, counselor and director of VA’s Las Vegas Vet Center. “When you get to hear about that, when they thank you, it just makes everything worth it. Refills the battery, keeps you going, and gets you ready for the next day.”
Mental health jobs at VA
Bringing your training in mental health care to VA can take on many forms, each with its own areas of expertise and pathways to success.
- VA psychologists take on leadership roles; work in management, research, academia, and training; and even impact system-wide policies. They also have the opportunity to practice in several specialized areas, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), traumatic brain injuries, and serious mental illness.
- Our social workers provide direct clinical services and coordinate special interest programs–all while working with the interdisciplinary care team to deliver care in the best interests of the patient.
- Psychiatrists bring unique expertise to our team. As they would in any clinical setting, they focus on prevention, evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of mental and emotional disorders in their patients. However, the key difference for VA psychiatrists is their experience with Veterans who have unique and often complicated mental health challenges.
- Registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and nursing assistants all have a valuable role to play when it comes to treating Veterans with mental health concerns. Advanced practice nurses, nurse practitioners, and clinical nurse specialists all profoundly impact the everyday care Veterans receive.
- As a licensed professional mental health counselor (LPMHC) or marriage and family therapist (MFT) at VA, your work will have an immediate impact on the lives of the Veterans in your care. You’ll provide counseling to individual Veterans, as well as their spouses and families, to help them find the solutions they need for better mental health.
Together, we’re building the most robust team of mental health providers in the country.
Team based, patient focused
Whatever your chosen role, your work will have an immediate impact on the lives of the Veterans in your care. You’ll be working with Veterans, as well as their spouses and families, to help them find the solutions they need for better mental health.
Whether you’re focused on group services or individual care, you’ll be an important member of our Patient Aligned Care Teams (PACT), partnering with your fellow health care providers in addressing the whole health of our Veterans.
“Knowing that my colleagues share that same mission really just makes it a fun place to work, even when there are challenges,” said Jennifer Silva, licensed clinical social worker and National Social Work program manager at VA.
Work at VA
As we recognize World Mental Health Day, learn more about how we provide mental health care here at VA, and learn how you can be a part of it.
- EXPLORE mental health jobs at VA.
- LEARN more about our mission of service.
- SEARCH for a VA career near you.
