SAN DIEGO, CA — The University of San Diego’s (USD) Tele-Mental Health Training Clinic has been awarded a $2.5 million grant to expand its services and provide free telemental health care to military personnel, veterans, and their families. The funding, provided by the California Veterans Health Initiative (CVHI) Mental Health Support Grant from the California Department of Veterans Affairs, will allow the clinic to extend its reach across California, beginning in early 2025.
The clinic, which is part of USD’s School of Leadership and Education Sciences, has long provided affordable and high-quality counseling services to a wide range of clients, including school-age children, adolescents, parents, and college students. With this new funding, the clinic will now focus on meeting the urgent mental health needs of military-connected individuals, a community that often faces unique challenges related to stress, trauma, and reintegration after service.
Expanding Access to Mental Health Services
Dr. Lauren Bruaski, PsyD, LMFT, director of the Tele-Mental Health Training Clinic, expressed her gratitude for the grant, emphasizing its impact on the military community. “This grant enhances our ability to serve the military community by expanding our telehealth services to address their urgent needs and provide them with essential mental health resources. My team is committed to ensuring that every individual who has served our nation, and their family members, can receive the mental health support they need and deserve,” Bruaski said.
The clinic’s services will now be available to more than 100 military-connected individuals throughout California, providing counseling and mental health support remotely. This expansion is designed to break down barriers to access, particularly for those in remote or underserved areas, offering the convenience and flexibility of teletherapy.
Addressing the Behavioral Health Workforce Shortage
The CVHI Grant also aims to help address the growing behavioral health workforce shortage in California by training graduate-level counseling students to provide services under the supervision of licensed professionals. This initiative aligns with USD’s commitment to providing high-quality, evidence-based mental health treatment while also supporting the development of the next generation of mental health professionals.
“This grant offers a great opportunity for USD to lead the way in providing high-quality, evidence-based mental health treatment for veterans, while also addressing the behavioral health workforce shortage in California,” said Dr. Nick Boyd, PhD, assistant professor and principal investigator for the CVHI Grant.
Creating a Safe and Supportive Environment
The Tele-Mental Health Training Clinic is dedicated to creating a supportive and confidential space for all clients. Counseling services are delivered by graduate-level trainees in counseling psychology, who are supervised by Dr. Bruaski, a licensed marriage and family therapist. The clinic’s holistic approach focuses on fostering resilience and promoting well-being for individuals and families facing mental health challenges.
With the infusion of this $2.5 million grant, USD’s Tele-Mental Health Training Clinic is poised to make a significant impact on the mental health care landscape for military families, offering much-needed resources and support during a critical time.
