For students like Ashley Wyatt, a grant can mean much more than just financial aid. It’s a chance to give back to the communities that raised them. Ashley comes from Russell County, a place with limited healthcare resources. She interned at Radford University Carilion in Roanoke, where she interacts with students preparing for medical careers. Roanoke is also classified as a shortage area for health professionals.
“Growing up in a rural community, I’ve seen how forgotten these places can feel about mental health care,” Ashley says. “This grant helps ease my financial burden and lets me focus on becoming a counselor. I want to show my community that they matter and deserve quality care.”
### The Importance of Early Intervention
Abbey Lynch, another grant recipient, is interning in Roanoke City Public Schools. Her experience there has highlighted the need for mental health education among young students.
“Being in a school allows me to connect with students where they are,” Abbey explains. “I want to motivate underprivileged students. They often lack resources, and if I can help them see beyond their challenges, I think that’s valuable.”
Gerard Lawson, a professor in counselor education, underscores how challenges in underserved communities impact children’s mental health. “Adults in these areas face many issues, like lack of care and higher addiction rates. This, in turn, affects children,” he says. He emphasizes that early intervention is key. “We need to shift the focus from survival in high school to what careers they aspire to.”
### Building a Supportive Community
Growing the mental health workforce in underserved regions takes more than just training new counselors. It requires innovative approaches to make mental health care more accessible and to keep professionals in these communities.
Joanna Collins, director of the Virginia Tech Roanoke Center’s mental health clinic, helps train future counselors by connecting them with local organizations. “Our students provided over 5,400 hours of pro bono counseling in the last academic year,” she shares, noting that this work equated to about $324,000 in free services.
As part of the grant, Collins is also identifying new placements for interns in high-need areas. She is integrating behavioral health care into primary care settings, which is vital for reaching more people. “Collaboration is key. We don’t want to operate in isolation; we need to work together to address mental health in rural regions.”
Lawson is also offering training to clinical supervisors to ensure students get proper support. “I want to ensure our students are ready for the field, so they have places to go after graduation,” he states. This effort is essential to creating a sustainable mental health workforce.
“I hope the skills of our students are visible in the community,” Lawson adds. “We know they can make a real difference.”
### Wider Impact
The need for mental health support is not just a local issue. According to a 2021 survey by the National Institute of Mental Health, about 1 in 5 adults live with mental illness, with those in rural areas often facing greater barriers to care. Programs like these not only address these gaps but also foster a culture of care and support.
As social media continues to raise awareness about mental health, initiatives like these are gaining traction. The #MentalHealthAwareness hashtag has seen a surge in activity, highlighting individual stories and promoting community support.
In essence, for students like Ashley and Abbey, the journey is about more than personal success. It’s about creating a brighter future for their communities, ensuring that everyone has access to the care they deserve.
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