Eric Shinseki, secretary of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, often reminds us: As the tide of war recedes, we have the opportunity, and responsibility, to anticipate the needs of returning veterans.

As these newest veterans return home, we must ensure they have access to quality mental health care in order to successfully make this transition to civilian life.

Last year, VA provided specialty mental health services to more than 1.3 million veterans – a 35 percent increase since 2007 in the number of veterans who received mental health services at VA. VA will add an additional 1,600 mental health staff professionals and an additional 300 support staff members nationwide, including 11 positions at the Iowa City VA Health Care System.