The University of Virginia is leading the Commonwealth’s new plan to improve mental health in K-12 students. A new statewide project called the Virginia Partnership for School Mental Health aims to strengthen school mental health services.
“Mental health needs in students are increasing and are really important and there’s a shortage of qualified school mental health providers. What we’re trying to do is simply. If we pair universities who are training the next generation of mental health providers with school divisions in the area who need them the most, we think we’re going to help increase the pipeline,” said Dr. Michael Lyons, a UVA professor and co-director of the Virginia Partnership for School Mental Health.
The program strengthens school mental health services by building a pipeline of graduate student trainees to school divisions that include Charlottesville, Buckingham County, Staunton and Waynesboro. The Virginia Partnership for School Mental Health also provides professional mental health training to professionals who work in school divisions.
Scroll down for more from UB
