The Department of Veterans Affairs will hire 1,600 more social workers, psychiatrists, psychologists and other mental health clinicians to help veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, according to this article in the New York Times.

The announcement comes amidst criticism the department has been slow to provide mental health services to veterans at some of its major health centers.

“History shows that the costs of war will continue to grow for a decade or more after the operational missions in Iraq and Afghanistan have ended,” Eric K. Shinseki, the secretary of veterans affairs, said in a statement. “As more veterans return home, we must ensure that all veterans have access to quality mental health care.”

To learn more about the services social workers provide military personnel visit the National Association of Social Workers’ “Help Starts Here” Veterans Affairs web site by clicking here.