[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/www.faulkner.edu\/news\/faulkner-university-dedicates-new-mental-health-center\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/www.faulkner.edu\/news\/faulkner-university-dedicates-new-mental-health-center\/","headline":"Faulkner University Dedicates New Mental Health Center","name":"Faulkner University Dedicates New Mental Health Center","description":"Ribbon cutting in front of the new Mental Health Center. Faulkner University formally dedicated its new Faulkner Mental Health Center with a ribbon-cutting and dedication ceremony at 10:30 a.m. March 6, 2026. The event brought together city and community leaders,…","datePublished":"2026-03-10","dateModified":"2026-03-10","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.faulkner.edu\/author\/rburylo\/#Person","name":"Rebecca Burylo","url":"https:\/\/www.faulkner.edu\/author\/rburylo\/","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/37a0c97fbd1eda89e38697defcaf0573?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/37a0c97fbd1eda89e38697defcaf0573?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Faulkner University","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.faulkner.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/Official-Horizontal-480x128.png","url":"https:\/\/www.faulkner.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/Official-Horizontal-480x128.png","width":480,"height":128}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.faulkner.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/Ribbon_Cutting_Mar2026_24-scaled.jpg","url":"https:\/\/www.faulkner.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/Ribbon_Cutting_Mar2026_24-scaled.jpg","height":1463,"width":2560},"url":"https:\/\/www.faulkner.edu\/news\/faulkner-university-dedicates-new-mental-health-center\/","about":["College of Health Sciences","Community","Highlights","News"],"wordCount":568,"articleBody":"Ribbon cutting in front of the new Mental Health Center. Faulkner University formally dedicated its new Faulkner Mental Health Center with a ribbon-cutting and dedication ceremony at 10:30 a.m. March 6, 2026. The event brought together city and community leaders, veteran and military officials and a crowd of distinguished guests including the Alabama State University ROTC Color Guard along with Faulkner faculty, staff and health science students.The clinic operates under the Faulkner University Center for Therapy and Research and represents a significant expansion of the university\u2019s mental health counseling services with a particular focus on serving veterans and their families. Services are also available to eligible members of the broader community.The project received partial funding through a grant from the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs as part of the Supporting Alabama\u2019s Veterans Grant Program, which supports initiatives aimed at improving mental health outcomes for Alabama veterans and their families.\u201cToday represents far more than an opening of a building,\u201d said Alan Deal, director of the Faulkner Center for Therapy and Research. \u201cIt represents access, it represents partnership, it represents commitment. Above all, it represents health and hope.\u201dDeal said many veterans across Alabama continue to face barriers to accessing mental health services.\u201cFor too long, veterans in Alabama, especially those in rural communities, have faced barriers in accessing timely high-quality mental health services,\u201d Deal said. \u201cDistance, stigma, limited providers and financial constraints have left many without the support they deserve.\u201dThrough partnerships across the state, those challenges are beginning to change. The clinic will provide services to patients free of charge and will also serve as a training site for students in Faulkner\u2019s College of Health Sciences who will gain hands-on experience working with veterans, families and other individuals seeking counseling services.McKee and Associates managed the facility\u2019s design and Liberty Construction served as the general contractor. A certificate of occupancy was issued Nov. 21, 2025. Ongoing operational funding is provided by the Alabama Department of Mental Health, the Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services and the Alabama Department of Human Resources.The facility provides a dedicated and confidential setting for mental health counseling services and further strengthens the work of the Center for Therapy and Research.Brandon Miller, director of outreach for the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs, said the clinic demonstrates the impact of statewide collaboration.\u201cWhen we established the Supporting Alabama Veterans grant it prioritized visions transforming action-based solutions,\u201d Miller said. \u201cWhat Faulkner has done here is just that \u2014 create a space for students, veterans and families where they can find professional support and passionate care.\u201dLicensed professional counselors Cela Ardis and Jenn Ingram provide counseling services along with counseling interns under the clinical supervision of Dr. Heath Willingham. Retired U.S. Army Col. James Crocker, an associate licensed counselor, provides specialized services for veterans. Cindy Payes serves as clinic clerk providing administrative support and assisting with care coordination.Military veteran and American Legion Department adjutant Ryan Marshall also shared his personal experience returning home from overseas military service and the challenges he faced adjusting to civilian life.\u201cThe weight of the world is on all of us,\u201d Marshall said. \u201cIf you are wrestling with any kind of mental health struggle reach out to these organizations. Don\u2019t try to do it on your own.\u201dFaulkner University President Mitch Henry presided over the ribbon cutting and Dr. Wayne Baker offered the prayer of dedication."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"News","item":"https:\/\/www.faulkner.edu\/news\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Faulkner University Dedicates New Mental Health Center","item":"https:\/\/www.faulkner.edu\/news\/faulkner-university-dedicates-new-mental-health-center\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]