TAMPA, Fla. — The U.S. Department of Veteran's Affairs in Tampa will move its mental health services into a new state-of-the-art facility by the end of 2023 thanks to funding from the General Services Administration.

“There are few higher callings in our nation than military service, but as a veteran who retired from active duty, I have personally seen the mental and emotional toll it's had on many of my comrades-in-arms,” said acting Regional Administrator Kevin Kerns with GSA’s Southeast Sunbelt Region. “By bringing together all of these essential services under one roof, our partners with the VA will be able to offer more convenient access to the care for those veterans in need.”

The new facility will replace the existing Psychosocial Rehab and Recovery Center, Tampa Domiciliary, and the Tampa Mental Health Clinic.

It will consolidate two residential programs, as well as outpatient services, work therapy, and homeless programs.

​The VA says the new facility will save taxpayers an estimated $15 million throughout the 20-year lease granted by the GSA, and aside from savings, it will help speed up care for veterans who are bouncing between facilities for various forms of mental health care.

"There's a lot of interplay between the different programs, and when they are all in the same building, people can access other care immediately as opposed to having to go to a different building or a different site," said Dr. Glenn Catalano, Associate Chief of Staff of Mental Health and Behavioral Science for Tampa's VA. 

Construction of the new clinic at Temple Terrace Highway and Davis Road will begin in spring 2022 and last approximately 18 months.