Notre Dame to open psychology clinic following donor gift
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The University of Notre Dame will open a mental health research and services clinic using a donation meant to expand such care in the South Bend area, the university announced Tuesday.
The Wilma and Peter Veldman Family Psychology Clinic will bring the William J. Shaw Center for Children and Families, the Suicide Prevention Initiative—Research, Intervention, and Training, and a new substance use initiative under one roof, the university said.
The goal of the new clinic will be to expand the availability of affordable mental health counseling services to area residents.
Notre Dame did not disclose the specific dollar amount of the gift.
A new building will be constructed where the current Psychological Services Center at 501 N. Hill St. stands. The new office will serve as both a care center and a hub for students and faculty, the university said, serving an estimated 1,500 people.
“The need for mental health resources has increased exponentially, in our nation, in the local community and on every college campus in the country,” University President Rev. John Jenkins said in a news release. “Given our mission to be a force for good in the world, Notre Dame has the opportunity to develop new models for the provision of mental health services and undertake groundbreaking research on how to treat mental illnesses, while also enhancing services for our students and helping to meet the overwhelming demand for more mental health resources in our local community.”
With the new clinic, the university said more senior psychology faculty will be added and the number of clinical psychology graduate students will triple.
The gift also means the psychology department will have more funding for its research and immersive training will be available for clinical psychology graduate students.
The Veldman Family said their donation was in honor of Wilma and Peter Veldma, who had a strong commitment to their community, faith and family. The Veldman family founded online distributor Tire Rack.
“Our family sees the great need in our community for better access to mental health care, but we also see the tremendous opportunity to make a difference through supporting Notre Dame’s mental health initiatives,” Tom Veldman said in the release. “This is a moment where we can impact the course of our community by reshaping the trajectory of so many lives, and we hope others will join us in supporting this crucial endeavor.”