A UCF clinic that treats those suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder has received a huge gift: $3 million in federal funding.

  • UCF PTSD clinic receives $3 million in federal funding
  • Clinic helps those suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder
  • Funds will be used to develop a new virtual reality program

That money, coupled with $2.5 million in state funds, will allow UCF Restores to continue their work.

“I know that there’s a big need for it. There’s a lot of people out there suffering," said Jim England, an Army veteran.

England spent 26 years in the Army. Part of that time was spent disarming roadside bombs in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Memories of what he saw during those tours began plaguing him.

“I was having problems with nightmares, depression, anxiety," he explained, going on to describe the worst incident involving involving a crowd of people outside several mosques and three suicide bombers.

“There were dead people, wounded people, wailing family members. It was a nightmare," he said.

England sought help for his PTSD from UCF Restores.

“We should be there for people who are hurting, and whatever it is we can do to help them, we need to do it," said Dr. Deborah Beidel.

Beidel started the clinic in 2011 with a grant from the Department of Defense. Over the last few years, they’ve treated hundreds of veterans and active military personnel for free, recreating the sights, smells and sounds of war using virtual technology.

That intensive therapy, the psychology and medical education professor said, works: Within weeks of starting the program, 66 percent of people overcome fears and can function in society.

More recently, Beidel began treating first responders and survivors of the Pulse nightclub shooting. But, as money dried up, the clinic stopped accepting new patients.

“It was very nerve-wracking, because we didn’t know if we would be able to continue to see people. We didn’t know if we would be able to keep the doors open," Beidel explained. “We were quite concerned that we had discovered a need, we offered treatment that we knew was effective, and we were going to have to stop doing it.”

But, she — and local lawmakers — began lobbying for funds, eventually snagging $2.5 million in state funds and the $3 million in federal.

“It’s beyond my wildest dreams. I never really thought we would be able to do something like this," said Dr. Deborah Beidel. “This program, this clinic, has become a passion for me and my colleagues. It’s not forever money, but it’s going to allow us to start to put this program out to the people who really need it."

UCF Restores will use the funds to develop a new virtual reality program, specifically tailored to the experiences of first responders. They'll also hire more full-time clinicians and hopefully, expand beyond UCF.

In addition, Beidel said others in the community, including a group of firefighters in Naples, Florida and Orlando Police Chief John Mina, have expressed interest in helping her craft a program for first responders.

Beidel said a number of legislators helped secure the millions in funding, including Senators Linda Stewart and Bill Nelson, as well as Representatives Darren Soto, Stephanie Murphy, Carlos Guillermo Smith and Mike Miller.

The doctor said that she also appreciates the support of Senator Marco Rubio going forward.

“Without other people believing in us and what we can do, none of this would’ve happened," she said. “We should be there for people who are hurting, and whatever it is we can do to help them, we need to do it.”