Stanford Launches $10 Million Initiative to Bring Trauma Therapy to Young People Worldwide

Stanford School of Medicine has received a $10 million gift to expand evidence-based trauma treatment for young people around the world, addressing a critical gap in mental health care access. The funding from Bukhman Philanthropies will support the work of Dr. Victor Carrión, who has developed innovative approaches to help children understand how trauma affects their stress responses and build resilience.

What Is Cue-Centered Therapy and How Does It Help Traumatized Youth?

Dr. Carrión created Cue-Centered Therapy (CCT), a specialized treatment designed specifically for young people ages 8 to 18 who have experienced trauma. The therapy teaches children to identify emotional triggers—called "cues"—that activate their stress responses, including certain emotions and behaviors. Once they understand these connections, they learn new coping skills to manage their reactions. The approach has proven effective at decreasing symptoms of anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) while building resilience.

The need for this work is urgent. According to the World Health Organization, one in seven youth experiences a mental health issue globally, yet mental health services for children and teens remain largely inaccessible.

How Will the Funding Expand Access to Trauma Treatment?

The $10 million gift will support three major initiatives to bring trauma care to more young people:

• Building Resilience in Schools (BRIS): This program introduces mindfulness practices in classrooms and provides specialized CCT to students who need additional support. Dr. Carrión has piloted the work in Puerto Rico, where young people have faced multiple crises including Hurricane Maria and the COVID-19 pandemic. The funding will scale BRIS from Puerto Rico to other countries around the world.
• Mobile Gaming App: Researchers are creating a first-of-its-kind mobile game based on CCT principles that teaches players to identify emotional triggers, understand their responses, and practice healthy coping strategies. By leveraging mobile technology, the app aims to reduce barriers to accessing mental health support such as stigma, cost, and therapist shortages.
• Biological Research: Scientists are gathering data on how well these interventions work by collecting cheek swabs from students before and after treatment. Their work will identify biological markers associated with trauma and with the ability to recover and adapt, deepening scientific understanding of stress and its effects on the body.

"Too many young people around the world lack access to the mental health care they need," said Dr. Carrión. "Thanks to the support of Bukhman Philanthropies, we can accelerate the spread of proven techniques and bring meaningful support to youth in schools and communities everywhere."

Daria Bukhman, co-founder and chair of Bukhman Philanthropies, emphasized the importance of this work: "When we learned about Dr. Carrión's work, we were deeply impressed by its reach and potential for global impact. We are excited to help bring his innovative approaches to more young people affected by traumatic stress".

The findings from the BRIS initiative will inform efforts to expand the program to other school districts and communities, potentially transforming how youth mental health care is delivered globally. With this gift—the largest in Bukhman Philanthropies' history—more young people will have access to tools they need to heal, adapt, and thrive.