NYC Gazette

St. John’s University has received a $200,000 grant from the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation to enhance its Center for Psychological Services in Flushing, New York. The center, established in 1986, offers mental health services and training for graduate students in clinical and school psychology doctoral programs.

The grant will enable the center to hire a New York State-licensed psychologist and a doctoral fellow proficient in Spanish to provide culturally informed therapy. Tara Rooney, Ph.D., Director of the Center for Psychological Services, emphasized the importance of cultural sensitivity and diversity in healthcare staff: “Cultural sensitivity, diversity of health-care staff, and language are important factors in providing good mental-health care.”

Most patients at St. John’s center come from nearby communities with nearly 60 percent reporting household incomes below $30,000. The center provides individual and group therapy at low to moderate costs and offers free services for military members and their families.

The Mother Cabrini Health Foundation is New York State's largest health care-based charitable foundation. It was established following the sale of Fidelis Care in 2018 and focuses on increasing healthcare access among the state's poor. Named after Mother Frances Xavier Cabrini, it aims to improve healthcare outcomes for vulnerable populations.

Msgr. Gregory Mustaciuolo ’83L, CEO of the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation, expressed pride in their work: “We are deeply honored by the wide-ranging impact of our work and by the dedication of our grantees across New York State.” He noted that this year marks a milestone as they surpassed $1 billion in grants since founding.

According to the American Psychiatric Association, one in five adults meets criteria for a mental-health disorder annually with racial minorities facing higher disability rates from mental illness.