Newsom Announces Mental Health Support for USS Abraham Lincoln Sailors Back in San Diego After 321-Day Deployment
San Diego — San Diego is a city in San Diego County, California. California Governor Gavin Newsom announced on October 17 that the state will offer mental health services, through the Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic at Veterans Village of San Diego, to the thousands of sailors and Marines who have returned home from a 321-day deployment aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln, connecting them and their families with support during a critical period of readjustment.
The Lincoln carrier strike group departed San Diego on November 21, 2025, and was redirected to the Middle East for combat operations during the deployment. After 321 days, the more than 5,000 sailors and Marines aboard returned to Naval Air Station North Island in San Diego on October 8 to reunite with their families.
According to the Governor's Office, the support builds on the California Veterans Health Initiative (CVHI), led by the California Department of Veterans Affairs (CalVet). Launched in 2024 with up to $38 million in competitive grant funding, the initiative has expanded community-based mental health services for veterans and their families across California, covering outreach, outpatient clinical care, case management, peer support and innovative, nontraditional approaches to care. As of August 2026, CVHI grantees had delivered more than 30,000 appointments statewide, including 23,083 outpatient clinical appointments, 6,360 case management appointments, 1,318 peer support appointments and 100 appointments for nontraditional care.
"Our commitment to those who served doesn't end when they take off the uniform — and neither does our responsibility to families who have stood beside them," Newsom said. CalVet Secretary Lindsey Sin said: "As the sailors and Marines aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln return home, we want them and their families to know that California stands ready to connect them with the resources and support they need. Whether navigating the transition home or facing challenges long after military service, no one should have to navigate those challenges alone."
The Governor's Office says California is home to approximately 1.5 million veterans, and that since 2019 the state has invested more than $10.5 billion across state government to support veterans. CVHI has received the Abraham Lincoln Pillar of Excellence Award from the National Association of State Directors of Veterans Affairs. Veterans and their families can learn about available services through CalVet and Veterans Village of San Diego; veterans experiencing a mental health crisis can call 988 and press 1 to reach the Veterans Crisis Line, for free, confidential support 24 hours a day.
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：「亚伯拉罕·林肯」号航母（CVN-72）官兵在飞行甲板集结，2026年10月7日摄于圣迭戈外海。美国国防部照片，公共领域，来源：Wikimedia Commons
