Expansion and Enhancement of Mental and Behavioral Health Services at Mississippi State University - The project, Expansion and Enhancement of Mental and Behavioral Health Services, aims to increase and strengthen mental and behavioral health services at Mississippi State University (MSU) to support students and the local community in Northeast and East Central Mississippi. The project involves developing a new mental and behavioral health clinic at the Meridian campus and hiring behavioral health navigators at the Meridian and Starkville campuses to increase students’ access to services. The project targets diverse populations, including low-income, rural, and minority groups, and seeks to improve access to high-quality mental health care, address the shortage of trained professionals, and foster a culture of well-being at MSU. The primary goal of this project is to expand and enhance mental and behavioral health resources and facilities to support faculty, staff, students and the local community at MSU. The objectives for the project are as follows: Objective 1: Prepare a dedicated space for the mental and behavioral health clinic at the Meridian campus. • Renovate space to include 12 clinic rooms and 12 offices • Hire security/police offers and a licensed professional counselor-supervisor (LPC-S) • Purchase furniture and decor for clinic rooms, offices, and waiting room • Purchase office equipment necessary for a successful clinic (i.e., computers, scanners, copiers) • Purchase psychological assessment instruments • Purchase intervention materials necessary for children • Provide professional development for 12 practitioners and 18 students • Provide liability insurance for 12 practitioners Objective 2: Expand access to mental and behavioral health services by hiring behavioral health navigators to further support students on both the Meridian and Starkville campuses • Hire eight behavioral health navigators • Train behavioral health navigators to provide outreach, education, and referral services to students in need of mental and behavioral health support • Increase the number of students who access Student Counseling Services by 10% compared to the previous academic year • Use the evaluation results to inform program improvement and sustainability A total of 39 individuals will receive training: 12 practitioners and 18 students at the new clinic in Meridian will participate in mental health professional development, while 8 Behavioral Health Navigators and 1 program coordinator will be trained to provide outreach, education, and referral services to students in need of mental and behavioral health support. Mississippi State University is committed to providing high-quality mental and behavioral health services and training opportunities to various populations, including college students, children, adolescents, adults, couples, families, rural residents, low-income individuals, and minorities. We have established strong partnerships with local schools, hospitals, clinics, agencies, and organizations that serve the mental and behavioral health needs of the community. We have the expertise, infrastructure, and resources to successfully implement the proposed grant project and achieve its goals and objectives.
