TAMPA, Fla. — Mental health care services for Tampa area veterans will soon be more accessible. 

What You Need To Know

  • Mental health care services for Tampa area veterans will soon be more accessible with a new facility

  • The formal groundbreaking ceremony marked the start of the project on Tuesday

  • At the new facility, veterans can get outpatient care for PTSD, substance abuse, social rehabilitation and a number of general mental health conditions

While construction is already in the works, the formal groundbreaking ceremony marked the start of the project on Tuesday. The new facility will consolidate multiple mental health programs into one 137,000 square foot building. 

The new all-inclusive mental health facility is located at 8501 Temple Terrace Highway in Tampa. It will replace the smaller Psychosocial Rehab and Recovery Center, Tampa Domiciliary, and the Tampa Mental Health Clinic, and add additional services.

At the new facility, veterans can get outpatient care for PTSD, substance abuse, social rehabilitation and a number of general mental health conditions. There will also be resources for homeless veterans and those dealing with suicidal thoughts. 

The new campus will include an on-site lab and pharmacy.

DJ Reyes served 33 years in the U.S. Army and says times are starting to change. While Vietnam and Korean War veterans were less likely to seek mental health resources, he is hopeful that younger veterans stay proactive.

“There’s been a concerted effort over the last 10-15 years as we were heavily into the global war on terrorism to advocate strongly for veterans to seek help,” he said. “And that seeking help is not a sign of weakness.”

The new facility will be constructed over the next 18 months and will open in 2023.