Dr. Eraina Schauss and colleagues from the Brain Center at the University of Memphis were recently awarded funding from the Urban Child Institute in partnership with the Trauma Center at LeBonheur Children's Hospital. This project will establish integrated mental and behavioral counseling services within the Trauma Center and Emergency Department at LeBonheur Children's Hospital. The initiative was spearheaded by Schauss, alongside Dr. Regan Williams, MD, medical director of Trauma Services at LeBonheur Hospital, who recognized the need to heal the emotional wounds in addition to the physical wounds of trauma.
The Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted the connection between physical health and mental well-being and the enormous mental health impact the pandemic has had upon vulnerable populations, specifically children. Through this joint initiative, any patient or family member receiving services at the Trauma Center or Emergency Department at LeBonheur Hospital will be eligible to receive free mental health counseling services provided by advanced graduate-level students in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program at the University of Memphis under the supervision of Schauss and Brain Center colleagues.