Surgery

Mental Health & Wellbeing Program

Supporting psychological and emotional recovery

Trauma doesn’t just affect the body—it also impacts mental health and emotional wellbeing. Our program integrates specialized psychological care into trauma treatment to address the unique challenges our patients face.

Woman sitting on a couch, appearing deep in thought.

Mental health conditions linked to traumatic injuries

Traumatic injuries significantly increase the risk of mental health conditions such as:

  • Acute Stress Disorder (ASD)
  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
  • Depression and Anxiety
  • Substance Use Disorders

The high cost of ignoring mental health in trauma care

Many trauma patients already have pre-existing mental health diagnoses, which can worsen without proper care. When left untreated, these conditions can lead to: 

  • Higher hospital readmission and recidivism rates
  • Social and functional impairments
  • Chronic disease and poor quality of life
  • Suicidal ideation—up to 50% of patients with severe PTSD symptoms experience suicidal thoughts within a year of hospitalization (American College of Surgeons, 2023)

Our collaborative approach with UCLA Psychology

The HEaL Trauma Program integrates mental health care into every step of the recovery process, ensuring patients and providers have the tools they need for success. By addressing physical, emotional, and social needs, we aim to improve outcomes, foster resilience, and redefine trauma care for lasting healing.

In 2024, UCLA Trauma Surgery partnered with UCLA Psychology. A clinical psychology fellow, supervised by Dr. April Thames, joined the team to provide specialized support. 

Trauma psychology services

Patients are evaluated during their hospital stay to identify and address mental health needs.

Services include:

  • Diagnosing co-occurring mental health conditions
  • Assessing risk factors such as:
    • Substance use
    • Suicidal or homicidal ideation
    • Domestic or self-directed violence
  • Evaluating family dynamics and support systems
  • Coordinating post-hospital treatment and referrals

Patients receive personalized therapy to support recovery, both during hospitalization and after discharge.

Services include:

  • Inpatient Therapy:
    • Weekly or more frequent sessions as needed during the hospital stay
    • Focus on addressing issues that interfere with medical treatment or recovery
  • Outpatient Therapy:
    • Weekly or biweekly sessions, in person or via telehealth (based on patient preference)
    • Short-term care (8–16 sessions) focused on post-discharge adjustment and transition to long-term support if needed

Our Clinical Psychologist also supports the mental health and resilience of the trauma team.

Services include:

  • In-service training on trauma-informed care and understanding mental health symptoms
  • Workshops on burnout prevention and communication skills
  • Debriefing sessions after stressful cases
  • Regular updates on patient progress to enhance coordinated care

Reference: American College of Surgeons. (2023, January 10). Best practices guidelines: Screening and intervention for mental health disorders and substance use and misuse in the acute trauma patient. Retrieved from https://www.facs.org