VA Workforce Cuts Disrupt Mental Health Services for US Veterans

VA Workforce Cuts and Their Impact on Veterans’ Mental Health

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is undergoing significant staffing cuts, affecting thousands of employees and disrupting critical mental health services for veterans. These changes have led to increased wait times, appointment cancellations, and mounting concerns about the availability of care for those who have served the nation.

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SAN FRANCISCO, March 20 (Reuters) – Joey Cortez, a 24-year U.S. Air Force veteran, had been waiting since August to see a mental health specialist at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). In a turn of events, he was recently fired from his human resources job at the VA, one of approximately 2,400 employees affected by the first wave of President Donald Trump’s federal workforce reduction.

“Once the firings happened and I was terminated, I started having panic attacks to the point where I black out,” said Cortez, who suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder. Losing his job has also made it more difficult to maintain his sobriety as a recovering alcoholic.

“Not a day has gone by since I was fired that I haven’t thought about picking up a bottle,” he admitted.

After his termination, Cortez requested an expedited mental health appointment but was told there was no record of his request. After a month of persistent follow-ups, he was finally given an appointment for August—one year after he initially sought help. Only after another patient canceled was he offered a slot for the following week.

VA Workforce Cuts with Workforce Reductions

The VA provides healthcare to 9.31 million U.S. veterans through an extensive network of medical centers, clinics, and nursing homes. However, the agency is facing significant challenges due to staffing reductions and administrative changes.

“The VA has bloat. There are redundancies. There are places where we have questioned the administration of care and asked, does it need to be the way it is?” said Pat Murray, legislative director for the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW).

An internal memo obtained by Reuters reveals that the Trump administration is planning further personnel cuts exceeding 80,000 positions. Additionally, the VA is phasing out telework options, a move that has sparked concerns over service disruptions.

Nine current and former VA employees from California, Oregon, Texas, and Washington, D.C., who spoke to Reuters anonymously, cited widespread disruptions to mental health services. They reported cancellations of in-person and telehealth appointments, confusion over crisis hotline staffing, and mental health professionals conducting telehealth visits in makeshift office spaces within VA facilities.

Mental Health Services Under Pressure

A former VA Office of Inspector General employee, who is also a veteran, warned that large-scale staffing cuts could exacerbate shortages and reduce care quality.

“There’s no way to take a scalpel and do it appropriately that quickly,” he said.

VA spokesperson Peter Kasperowicz stated that mental health professionals, such as psychologists and social workers, were not affected by the February staff cuts and that the agency is working to recruit more providers and improve wait times. However, he did not specify the impact on support staff for these providers.

Last week, two federal judges ordered the VA and other federal agencies to reinstate thousands of fired probationary workers. While Cortez’s pay was reinstated, he was instructed not to return to work.

The Veterans Health Administration has been grappling with severe staffing shortages since 2015, particularly in mental health services. According to the VA, the percentage of veterans receiving mental health care increased from 20% in 2007 to 31% in 2022. Veteran suicide rates remain twice as high as the national average.

Challenges in Telehealth and Office Space

The agency’s shift away from remote work has raised concerns about its impact on accessibility. Telehealth services were initially promoted to reduce wait times, especially in rural areas.

Kasperowicz emphasized that veterans would still have access to telehealth appointments, even as providers return to VA facilities. However, he did not clarify why mental health professionals needed to return to physical offices.

Meanwhile, demand for mental health services among VA employees has surged. A social worker reported seeing two to three VA employees per week seeking care due to stress and job security fears.

“People are calling out sick. People are ill with stress and worry. The mood is so low,” he said.

Mental health professionals also noted difficulties in securing private office spaces for telehealth visits. Some described converting closets and conference rooms into temporary consultation areas, raising privacy concerns.

“We are scrambling to find space,” a provider in California said. “Veterans are going without until we can find spaces for these providers.”

Reuters could not independently verify the claims of overcrowding. Kasperowicz assured that the VA is working to accommodate returning employees while ensuring continued access to services.

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