How do we stay mentally healthy in challenging and uncertain times?
Greene County is among the top underserved communities in New York state when it comes to the mental health workforce, according to a report revealed Wednesday by U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand.
Greene stands with 55 out of 62 New York counties, including most of upstate New York, that don’t have enough psychiatrists, psychologists or social workers, Gillibrand said during a video press conference Wednesday.
Her answer to the question that begins this article is bipartisan legislation to help expand the mental health workforce in underserved communities like Greene County. The Mental Health Professionals Workforce Shortage Loan Repayment Act would provide incentive for mental health professionals, including psychiatrists, social workers, clinical and school psychologists and school counselors to practice in Greene County by offering them student loan forgiveness in return.
The Mental Health Professionals Workforce Shortage Loan Repayment Act would repay up to $250,000 in eligible student loans for mental health professionals who agree to work in designated professional shortage areas like Greene County. Loans taken out for education in mental health or a related field leading to masters or doctoral degrees or post-doctoral study would be eligible for repayment. The legislation would repay one-sixth of the individual’s eligible loans for each year of service.
It’s a hard challenge that mental health professionals will rally to Greene County in large numbers, but the legislation is a practical and effective way to proceed in anxious and uncertain times like these.