Rural Communities Opioid Response Program - Pathways - Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center (SEKMHC) is establishing a network of educators and behavioral health professionals focused on delivering youth-centered behavioral healthcare support and career pathway programs across rural Southeast Kansas. This project seeks to address youth behavioral health challenges in a region impacted by isolation, economic hardship, and limited access to services. Youth in rural Southeast Kansas face significant behavioral health challenges, with local data showing a higher prevalence of mental health issues compared to state and national averages. In Allen, Neosho, and Woodson counties, 42-50% of SEKMHC’s clients are youth aged 3-17. These counties are designated as Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs) and Medically Underserved Areas (MUAs), indicating a critical shortage of mental and primary healthcare providers. Additionally, a significant portion of children in these counties live below the poverty line—19.6% in Allen, 18.6% in Neosho, and 16.9% in Woodson counties, compared to state and national averages of 13.7% and 16.3%, respectively. The Kansas Communities That Care (KCTC) Survey highlights the mental health strain on local youth, with 41-45% of students reporting feelings of hopelessness for two weeks or more, and up to 25% having considered suicide in the past year. This project targets 2,515 middle and high school students across seven school districts in Allen, Neosho, and Woodson counties. SEKMHC, the primary behavioral healthcare provider in the region since 1961, is well-positioned to lead this initiative, addressing the urgent behavioral health needs of youth while also creating sustainable solutions for the future. The project’s first goal is to introduce and develop behavioral health career pathways for youth. SEKMHC plans to formalize a partnership with Allen Community College, Iola - USD 257, and Humboldt - USD 258 through a memorandum of understanding with the aim of improving access to behavioral health education by offering dual-credit courses for at least 150 students toward the Mental Health Technician Certificate. Additionally, SEKMHC plans to expand a job-shadowing program that will engage at least 60 high school students in exploring behavioral health careers. To further support career exploration, the network will provide educational resources that connect students with state and national resources, including the Area Health Education Center (AHEC) and the National Health Service Corps (NHSC) Scholarship Program. The second goal is to engage youth in peer-driven behavioral health programming. SEKMHC aims to train high school students - 250 in year 1, 400 in year 2 and 500 in year 3 - in teen Mental Health First Aid (tMHFA) starting in the spring semester of 2026 and certify at least 25 college students annually in Mental Health First Aid at Allen Community College. High school students who complete the tMHFA training will be empowered to deliver peer-to-peer programming activities to middle school students, fostering a culture of mental health awareness and support in their communities. The third goal focuses on ensuring the long-term sustainability of the project’s activities beyond federal funding. SEKMHC will collect baseline data and generate reports on performance measures to ensure continuous improvement. Additionally, the center will engage at least two new network partners each year to expand the reach and impact of the RCORP-Pathway-supported activities. The comprehensive approach of this project improves access to behavioral health services, creates career pathways, and empowers youth to take an active role in supporting their peers. By fostering a sustainable network of services and education, SEKMHC seeks to provide lasting support to rural youth and their communities, ensuring a better quality of life and healthier futures.
