PINE BELT, Miss. (WDAM) – Millions of dollars will be going to Mississippi’s youth mental health systems, Governor Tate Reeves announced on Thursday.
The state will put just under $13.5 million towards mental health systems for children, youth and students. The money comes from the Community Development Block Grant CARES Act Coronavirus Relief program.
“Mississippi is putting this funding to work in a way that delivers real help to our children and students. Through the deployment of these funds, we are expanding access to mental health care, strengthening the behavioral health workforce and making better use of telehealth so families, schools and communities can be sure Mississippi’s young people have the help they need when they need it.”
According to a 2023 study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, youth mental health plummeted during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. The study showed that 4 in 10 students in the US had persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness. 2 in 10 students seriously considered attempting suicide and 9% did attempt.
The Mississippi Development Authority has approved targeted funding to expand access to mental health care, increase telehealth capacity, support specialized behavioral health workforce training and enhance community‑based education efforts across the state.
The money will be distributed as follows:
CHAMP – Child Access to Mental Health and Psychiatry Programs – $3,100,385
CHAMP serves vulnerable and low-income children throughout Mississippi. The funds will be used for UMMC personnel costs, training and updates to the program’s data management system.
MHNP – Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Program – $1,406,001
Funds will be used to create 35 tuition-assistance scholarships to expand enrollment and strengthen the behavioral-health workforce in underserved, low-income areas.
SUD – Substance Use Disorder Telehealth and Education Program – $1,206,690
SUB travels to K-12 schools, clinics and colleges to screen children and young adults for substance use disorders. Funds will be used to provide education on screening youth, identifying resources and facilitating referrals to treatment, both in person and telehealth.
UNITE – Universities Network of Integrated Telemental Expansion Clinics – $3,466,777
Provides free mental health services to Mississippi’s public universities and UMMC. Funds will be used for UMMC personnel, system upgrades and promotion of the clinic.
MAGNOLIA – Mental Health Workforce Training Program – $2,859,185
Educates trainees on how to provide care to ages 0-2 in psychology, clinical mental health counseling and social work. Funds will be used for UMMC personnel costs and trainee support.
MS CEAL – Mississippi Community Engagement Alliance – $1,426,406
MS CEAL serves youth and young adults in the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians and HBCUs by providing necessary health care. Funds will be used to train community members, health professionals and school personnel on how to identify and respond to youth mental-health distress.
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