ST. CLOUD - The St. Cloud VA is hiring more mental health workers.

Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric Shinseki recently announced the department would add about 1,600 mental health clinicians, as well as nearly 300 support staff nationwide.  The St. Cloud VA estimates they'll be adding seven clinicians and two support staff.

They currently have 226 mental health workers at the St. Cloud VA and their Outpatient Clinics in Alexandria, Brainerd and Montevideo.  The St. Cloud VA has seen a 29% increase in the number of veterans receiving mental health services since 2006.  They've increased the mental health staff by 62% in that same period.

Interested mental health care providers can find additional information about VA careers online.  Open positions, including those at the St. Cloud VA, can be viewed online at USA Jobs (www.usajobs.gov).

To use VA health care, Veterans must apply for enrollment.  To apply, Veterans should contact a County Veteran Service Officer, call the St. Cloud VA at 320-255-6340. Immediate help is available anytime at www.VeteransCrisisLine.net or by calling the Crisis Line at 1-800-273-8255 (push 1) or texting 838255.

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