Telemental Health From the "Outside In": Telework Options for Efficient Patient Care

The VA is the largest provider of mental health care in the U.S.(1) On April 19, 2012, Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki addressed the increasing need for access to mental health care by announcing the goal of adding about 1,600 mental health clinicians for patient treatment. Increasing the number of accessible hours is the latest development in an ongoing effort by VA to reduce potential barriers to patient care.