Governor Reeves announces investment in Mississippi’s youth mental health services

VICKSBURG, Miss. (VDN) —  Governor Tate Reeves today announced the state of Mississippi is deploying $13,464,444 to support mental health systems for Mississippi children, youth and students. Through the Community Development Block Grant CARES Act Coronavirus Relief (CDBG‑CV) program, the Mississippi Development Authority has approved targeted funding to expand access to mental health care, increase telehealth capacity, support specialized behavioral health workforce training and enhance community‑based education efforts across the state.

“Mississippi is putting this funding to work in a way that delivers real help to our children and students,” said Governor Tate Reeves. “Through the deployment of these funds, we are expanding access to mental health care, strengthening the behavioral health workforce and making better use of telehealth so families, schools and communities can be sure Mississippi’s young people have the help they need when they need it. These investments are an important reminder of our commitment to health care today and to the future of our state.”

These strategic investments will empower the University of Mississippi Medical Center and its partners to deliver high‑impact services to young Mississippians, especially those in underserved communities. The grants will help ensure that schools, healthcare providers and families have the tools they need to identify mental health challenges early and connect students with appropriate services.

“We greatly appreciate the state’s investment in the mental and behavioral health care of our youth and young adults,” said Dr. LouAnn Woodward, vice chancellor for health affairs at UMMC. “These grants enhance our three-part mission of health care, education and research through programs that provide needed care to our most vulnerable children, support training of future mental health professionals to fill gaps in care and open opportunities for health care providers to discover best practices for treatment of mental health and substance abuse disorders.”

“MDA is making life-changing investments that strengthen Mississippi’s mental health systems and expand access to care for children, students and families,” said Mississippi Development Authority Executive Director Bill Cork. “Stronger mental health resources make our communities more resilient, support a reliable workforce and create the quality of life that allows Mississippi’s people and economy to grow together.”

This commitment represents a major step in advancing Mississippi’s long‑term goals for improving the lives of young people in the state, reinforcing the public health care workforce and expanding access to mental health resources. The grants are as follows:
CHAMP – Child Access to Mental Health and Psychiatry Program – $3,100,385

• Serves vulnerable and low‑income children across Mississippi, especially those impacted by COVID‑19.
• Funds will be used for UMMC personnel costs, training and updates to the program’s existing data management system.

MHNP – Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Program – $1,406,001

• Serves PMHNP students who commit to working in underserved, low‑ to moderate‑income areas of Mississippi.
• Funds will be used to create 35 tuition‑assistance scholarships to expand enrollment and strengthen the behavioral‑health workforce.

SUD – Substance Use Disorder Telehealth and Education Program – $1,206,690

• Serves K–12 schools, primary care clinics and colleges/universities screening adolescents and young adults for substance use disorders, especially those affected by COVID‑19.
• Funds will be used to provide education on screening youth for SUD, identifying resources and facilitating referrals to treatment, including telehealth options.

UNITE – Universities Network of Integrated Telemental Expansion Clinics – $3,465,777

• Serves students enrolled at Mississippi’s public universities and UMMC who need free, evidence‑based mental health services.
• Funds will be used for UMMC personnel, Epic system customization and social media and marketing to promote clinic services.

MAGNOLIA – Mental Health Workforce Training Program – $2,859,185

• Serves trainees in psychology, clinical mental health counseling and social work who will provide care to children and youth ages 0–24, especially in rural or underserved communities.
• Funds will be used for UMMC personnel costs and trainee support to expand the behavioral‑health workforce.

MS CEAL – Mississippi Community Engagement Alliance – $1,426,406

• Serves youth and young adults among the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians and students at Mississippi HBCUs who were disproportionately impacted by COVID‑19.
• Funds will be used to train community members, health professionals and school personnel to identify and respond to youth mental‑health distress.