Augusta University receives $2.4 million grant to address behavioral health challenges

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – A new $2.4 million grant is empowering Augusta University students with hands-on training to address the community’s behavioral health challenges.

Local experts say that while the community may struggle with many of these challenges, they hope a new grant will help change that in the long run.

For students like Talynn Saxer, Mahogany Davis and Ariel Figueroa O’Farrill, this is more than just a part of their studies.

“Working out in the community, it’s made me more comfortable working within an interdisciplinary team,” said Saxer.

“It relieves the financial burden while we’re also able to gain the benefit of the clinical experience in field and out of field,” said Davis.

“It really much prepared me for a career in research, if I so choose to,” said Figueroa O’Farrill.

Alicia Becton, Chair of the Department of Research, Counseling & Curriculum at Augusta University, says it’s a pipeline for students to do hands-on learning and give community clinics support.

“So we secured the HRSA grant, which is a $2.4 million training grant to increase workforce development and increase mental health professionals in the community,” Becton said.

The program focuses on training students in behavioral health practices while targeting young people.

“We need nurses, social workers, mental health professionals, everyone at the table,” Becton said.

With recent health care shortages in underserved areas, Dr. Tommy Ginn says health care workers are needed now more than ever.

“The mental health needs are huge in, I would say, all communities. We see anxiety, depression, drug use, all of those things, from kids on up through adults. And like I say, it’s really hard because the number of people taking care of patients like that is limited,” Ginn said.

The program continues with the hope that students will fall in love with the passion to serve.

This is a 4-year program where they partner with other community groups to give these graduate students real world experience to prepare them for next steps.

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