BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — The University at Buffalo (UB) is stepping up its efforts to address the pressing mental health care needs of rural communities with the launch of a new initiative aimed at increasing access to mental health professionals in non-metropolitan school districts.
A $3.59 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education will fund the creation of a fellowship program within UB’s School of Social Work. This program, known as the Buffalo Mental Health Service Professional (MHSP) fellowship, will place mental health professionals directly into rural schools, offering essential support to students and families in underserved areas.
Addressing the Gap in Mental Health Resources
The grant comes in response to the severe lack of mental health resources in rural regions, where many students face barriers to accessing care. Research highlights that students in rural schools often experience higher rates of depression and feelings of isolation compared to their peers in urban areas. This lack of mental health support has prompted UB to introduce the MHSP program, which aims to meet the needs of these students by training and placing graduate social work students in rural school districts.
Dr. Katie Stalker, UB’s Field Education Director, explained the importance of the program: “Research shows that students in rural schools often report higher rates of depression and feelings of isolation compared to their urban counterparts. This program is about meeting those needs where they are.”
Collaboration with Local School Districts
Starting in Fall 2025, UB will offer this program to social work graduate students, who will then be placed in four rural school districts: Akron, Alden, Medina, and Niagara-Wheatfield. The program will partner with Erie 1 BOCES to support the initiative.
Niagara-Wheatfield Superintendent Daniel Ljiljanich expressed excitement about the new collaboration: “We know it’s very difficult these days to find qualified mental health professionals. We’re excited that our mental health professionals are going to be able to help work and train these graduate-level social worker students. As a district, we’ve been able to partner with outside agencies to provide these counseling services, so working with UB on this partnership creates even more opportunities for our students and families who need mental health services.”
Tackling Rural Mental Health Challenges
Mental Health Advocates of Western New York has long worked with rural communities to address the challenges posed by isolation, stigma, and limited access to care. Executive Director Melinda DuBois noted that in rural areas, the lack of local resources is a significant obstacle. “In rural communities, the lack of resources is a real factor because maybe you would need to travel to Buffalo to see a clinician. Well, traveling to Buffalo when you are a 14-year-old and your parents are maybe working is almost impossible,” DuBois explained.
Long-Term Impact
The five-year grant will support the participation of 46 fellows in the MHSP program, with six of those fellows being from UB’s STARS (Small Towns and Rural Schools) initiative. UB STARS is designed to recruit MSW students from participating rural communities who are interested in pursuing social work positions within their local schools.
In addition to field placements, UB STARS fellows will receive full tuition support, stipends, and reimbursement for travel and other expenses associated with their placements, ensuring that the program provides both practical experience and financial assistance to students.
This partnership between UB, rural school districts, and community organizations like Mental Health Advocates of Western New York offers a comprehensive approach to tackling the mental health challenges faced by rural students. It is poised to create lasting change, providing students in underserved areas with the support they need to thrive academically and emotionally.
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