School of Social Work awarded $2.4M to address youth BH crisis

With support from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 17 Master of Social Work students will be selected annually as Behavioral Health Scholars, receiving specialized coursework, intensive practicum placements and faculty mentorship, UConn Today reported Sept. 29. Children across the United States are experiencing an unprecedented mental and behavioral health crisis. Data from the National Survey of Children's Health indicates that approximately one in five children and adolescents have a mental, emotional or behavioral disorder and roughly one-third of children and youth with a disorder do not receive relevant care. “High case-loads, long waitlists, and particularly acute shortages in children's behavioral health and integrated care settings have left providers stretched thin, leading to burnout, stress, and exhaustion across the field,” explains Jon Phillips, assistant professor at the UConn School of Social Work. “This gap leaves many children without timely or appropriate attention, worsening long-term outcomes for both individuals and communities.” Now, with support of a four-year $2.4 million grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Health Resources and Services Administration, Phillips hopes to expand the pipeline of social workers specializing in youth behavioral health at a local level.