UNP’s Free Mental Health Clinic was honored yesterday with a Select 25 grant from Select Health, along with 24 other community programs and organizations throughout Utah.

The Free Mental Health Clinic is provided through a partnership with UNP, the University of Utah’s Department of Psychiatry’s Global Mental Health track for its adult residency program, the U’s College of Social Work, Latino Behavioral Health, and the Association of Utah Community Health.  Housed in the UNP Hartland Partnership Center, the Clinic provides a community site where psychiatry residents meet an array of critical mental health needs.  The clinic provides uninsured community members of refugee, immigrant, and asylum-seeking backgrounds with culturally responsive and compassionate care.  A ‘Global Health’ practice approach is utilized, where participants are treated as people first and their greater human wellness is a priority.  Patient participants meet with third or fourth year psychiatric residents for assessment and diagnosis. They also receive case management and therapeutic support from Masters of Social Work practicum students. The psychiatry and social work teams work closely to optimize access to resources such as medication, employment, housing, and therapy.

The Free Mental Health Clinic strives to create a space where people in the community can access culturally responsive clinical mental health treatment. And, it’s connection to the UNP Walk-In Center & Bridge Training Clinic ensures essential opportunities for future psychiatrists and social workers to work within a cross-cultural, trauma-informed setting. The clinic hosts an interdisciplinary team of social workers, doctors, community health workers, peer advocates, and students who have come together to try and reach community members with a wide spectrum of concerns.

Overall, the Free Mental Health Clinic creates awareness of global mental health issues and social disparities among patients, communities, and health systems. It also promotes student interest in working with diverse, under-served populations, as well as develops a formal network of professionals interested in global mental health mentoring, learning, and collaboration.

Select Health’s Select 25 grant program supports those who promote health and wellness, assist individuals with special needs, create safe environments, and build strong communities.