An revolutionary program at UMass Chan Medical Faculty goals to assist offset a scarcity of psychological and behavioral well being suppliers by attracting college students underrepresented in medication to careers within the area.
Twenty-two Worcester highschool college students and up to date highschool graduates are collaborating within the Dynamic Futures program, a year-long initiative that began with an intensive four-week schedule over the summer season of lessons, off-campus outings and team-building workout routines. This system is designed to introduce college students to behavioral well being fields in an effort to diversify the behavioral well being workforce and enhance behavioral well being outcomes in native communities.
“Probably the most thrilling half about this program is these college students every have totally different pursuits inside behavioral well being,” stated Ché Anderson, assistant vice chancellor for metropolis & neighborhood relations. “There are college students who’ve pursuits in reentry and dependancy and discovering alternatives to verify individuals are getting the help they want. There are college students who’re eager about aiding the homeless inhabitants and addressing meals insecurity, and exploring how we meet these primary wants for folks.”
All through the educational yr, every pupil will meet month-to-month with a neighborhood psychological well being knowledgeable who will function a mentor to assist discover alternatives within the area. Dynamic Futures may also present monetary help to every pupil to pursue a psychological and behavioral well being certification. The scholars in this system shall be paid to assist practice different college students who wish to change into peer counselors. The scholars may also be supplied a free, college-level introductory psychology course.
“We’ve got to broaden our thought of what success appears to be like like on this area,” Anderson stated. “We would like these college students to have no less than a baseline or perhaps a complete understanding of the sector. Even when they don’t go into behavioral well being or are working adjoining to the sector, if sooner or later they’re capable of speak to their co-workers, companions and household concerning the impression that totally different experiences might have on psychological and behavioral well being, that’s success at some stage.”
Whereas this system will serve the pursuits of its individuals year-round, it focuses on 4 key weeks in the summertime. This yr’s program began in July with on-line coaching, giving the scholars the chance to work inside knowledgeable, distant setting and get to know one another.
The scholars later stayed in residence halls at Worcester State College.
“There’s a variety of bonding particularly as a result of we’re dwelling collectively for 2 weeks. We see one another daily. All of the folks in this system come from totally different backgrounds and studying about one another and our experiences is basically fascinating and eye opening,” stated Naairah Medina, a current graduate of South Excessive Group Faculty.
College students additionally attend lectures and panels at UMass Chan to assist develop language abilities essential to enter the sector, learn to put together for school, focus on subjects like intersectional identification and journey throughout the Worcester space. This yr, college students heard a panel on identification at Clark College, toured the Worcester County Jail and Home of Correction, walked round Fortress Park in Worcester’s Fundamental South neighborhood, had lunch at Café Reyes on Shrewsbury Road, visited AIDS Undertaking Worcester, and attended a Worcester Purple Sox sport at Polar Park.
Summer time programming for the Dynamic Futures individuals included a visit to Metropolis Corridor.
“Being on this program to review psychological well being, and being with like-minded college students who’re inclusive, open-minded and caring, and everybody actually listens to you, going out to totally different locations collectively as a gaggle, and being in the course of all of it’s a nice expertise,” stated Pius Baidoo, a current North Excessive Faculty graduate.
College students additionally participated in internships, giving them a possibility to be on web site at a number of organizations throughout Worcester County, together with El Buen Samaritano; Centro, Inc.; Seven Hills Basis; and Open Sky Group Companies.
Purposes for subsequent summer season’s Dynamic Futures program shall be accessible in early 2024. College students have to be between 16 and 18 years outdated to take part and both attend or have graduated from a Worcester highschool.
The Dynamic Futures program is a partnership effort between UMass Chan Medical Faculty, ForHealth Consulting, the Metropolis of Worcester, Worcester Public Faculties, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Open Sky Group Companies, Seven Hills Basis, United Means of Central Massachusetts, Worcester State College, Clark College, Anna Maria Faculty, Lesley College, MassHire, the Division of Public Peace Works, Worcester Group Motion Council and Moleskine.
Media protection of this system:
Boston Globe: UMass Chan program encourages teenagers of coloration to pursue careers in behavioral well being
WCVB: CityLine: The subsequent era of psychological well being professionals
Worcester Journal: Program provides highschool college students perception into psychological well being, incarceration, homelessness
