Cheyenne VA Adding Mental Health Facility

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — The Veterans Affairs Department is building an extended-stay mental health facility in Cheyenne so Wyoming veterans can get care closer to home.

The Wyoming Tribune Eagle reported Tuesday work on the 10-bed, $6.75 million facility is underway and is expected to be finished by the spring of 2016.

The veterans hospital in Cheyenne currently provides outpatient mental health care and outreach services. Patients who need more intensive, long-term care have to go to Denver or elsewhere.

The new facility will offer that care in Cheyenne, closer to veterans' families.

VA officials expect to hire at least 26 additional staff members for the facility, but the number of employees hasn't been determined yet.

The facility will have private rooms, communal living areas, a kitchen and a laundry area.