OneQuest Health and Northern Kentucky University (NKU) are teaming up to tackle a big issue: the shortage of mental healthcare professionals in Kentucky. They are investing $100,000 in scholarships to support students in NKU’s Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program.
This funding comes from the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education’s Healthcare Workforce Investment Fund. By pairing a healthcare provider with a state university, they aim to attract new talent to a field that desperately needs it. Since this fund began, OneQuest Health has secured a total of $300,000 to improve the mental healthcare workforce in the area.
Rick Wurth, CEO of OneQuest Health, called the partnership a game-changer. He emphasized the importance of working directly with a university to address the critical shortages in mental health services.
Gannon Tagher, dean of NKU’s College of Health and Human Services, echoed these sentiments. He pointed out that more qualified mental healthcare workers are essential right now, especially as demand rises.
According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), nearly 1 in 5 adults in the U.S. experience mental illness each year. With an increasing need for mental health services, initiatives like this scholarship program are crucial in bridging the gap.
The partnership will be recognized at the Healthcare Workforce Investment Fund Awards Program on December 9 in Lexington.
This initiative not only supports students financially but also addresses a growing concern for Kentucky’s healthcare system. By investing in education, they are paving the way for a brighter future in mental health support.
For more information on mental health and resources available, visit NAMI’s website.
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