Give to the Pacifica SOUL Promise

Pacifica Graduate Institute: Pacifica SOUL Promise

Nearly one in seven adults and one in twenty-six individuals face a severe mental illness that makes it difficult to carry out daily activities, and only one-third of individuals grappling with mental health conditions have the necessary support. In contrast, one in fourteen children has an emotional disturbance that limits functioning in family, school, or community activities. This scarcity of access arises from a growing shortage of behavioral and mental health professionals, with rural areas, linguistically and ethnically diverse communities, and LGBTQ+ populations disproportionately affected.

To tackle these issues, Pacifica Graduate Institute, as part of its ten-year program Pacifica SOUL Promise, commits to making depth psychological education, research, and care accessible to all by addressing the shortage of behavioral and mental health professionals, as well as barriers to entry, and gaps in diversity within the field, particularly on the Central Coast of California. Through this program, we aim to offer scholarships to up to 1,500 individuals in low-income communities, fostering diversity in mental and behavioral health practitioners.

Students who qualify will have their tuition and mandatory fees covered for up to 100% of their graduate education. The semesters must be taken consecutively within three years (an approximate $115,000 value across three years), and eligibility must be maintained. Tuition and mandatory fees will covered by scholarships, grants, and tuition donations raised through this program.

The Five-Fold Strategy of Pacifica SOUL Promise outlines education, professional development, faculty development, community care, and research innovation initiatives.

1. Expand Workforce and Behavioral Health Workforce: Pacifica aims to create a School of Professional Psychology, grouping license-eligible programs and offering up aspiring practitioners living and serving in low-income communities, scholarships to address the needs of the Central Coast and beyond.
2. Provide Healthcare Professional Development: Pacifica Extension and International Studies will offer stackable graduate certificates to meet our regional workforce’s economic needs, engage diverse students, and create pathways for credit transfer into graduate degrees.
3. Build a PGI Faculty Development Program: Pacifica Extension and International Studies will collaborate with faculty and subject matter experts to develop a diverse pool of qualified professionals for teaching roles, fostering inclusivity.
4. Launch Pacifica Community Clinic: A clinic will be established on our Ladera campus to provide culturally responsive care, reduce therapy stigma, and build partnerships with local entities through student learning.
5. Create a Pathway for Grant-Funded Research: Pacifica aims to establish an inclusive pathway for faculty and students to secure grant funding, supporting research aligned with the institution’s mission and regional needs.

By implementing the Pacifica SOUL Promise multifaceted approach we will transform mental health education and care on the Central Coast region, embodying our commitment to ensuring accessibility, affordability and cultivating a more inclusive and conscious society.