CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Applications are being accepted for the Mental Health Loan Repayment Program, which provides financial help to licensed mental health workers in West Virginia’s underserved communities.
The program is meant to help address gaps in the behavioral health workforce with the goal of retaining employees who provide counseling services.
“West Virginia definitely need more professionals working to both break down the stigma that surrounds mental health and substance use disorder, ” said Carolyn Canini, director of behavioral health programs at the state Higher Education Policy Commission.
Canini said the stress of the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the need for counselors.
“We know there are dedicated professionals across the state that are providing this care for others, coping with the pandemic on their own, while also carrying their own student loan debt which can be become a barrier to their continued practice in underserved communities,” she said.
Licensed social workers, counselors, marriage and family therapists, psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners and master’s and doctoral clinical psychologists are eligible for a $10,000 award.
Canini said they want to communicate to applicants and current professionals that the state wants to strengthen access to crucial mental health services.
“These services save lives, they save families, they help communities be stronger and that’s our goal with the Mental Health Loan Repayment Program,” she said.
The program was created by the state Legislature back in 2019.
Applications will be accepted through Mar. 15. Award decisions will be announced in April.