SOWELA Technical Community College in Lake Charles, Louisiana has recently received funding to improve mental health services for students on campus. With only 26% of mental health needs being met in Louisiana and a rising number of adults experiencing symptoms of anxiety and depression, the Health Resources and Services Administration reports that there is a pressing need for improved mental health services at SOWELA.
To address this issue, the Louisiana Board of Regents has allocated $300,000 in funding to SOWELA. The funds will be used to provide scholarships for new students interested in pursuing careers in behavioral health, as well as investing in new counseling technology for telehealth services at all of its campuses. In addition, faculty and staff will receive professional development on behavioral health.
The scholarships, worth up to $1,000 each, are available to students entering programs such as Criminal Justice, Culinary Medicine, Nursing (RN), Practical Nursing (LPN), and Clinical Medical Assistant (CMA) in the Fall of 2024. Eligibility requires a minimum GPA of 2.0.
An informational session will be held on Tuesday, June 18 at 5 p.m., providing details about SOWELA’s behavioral health programs, scholarship opportunities, and student services. Interested individuals can register for the event on the college’s website.
This initiative aims to provide students with increased access to mental health resources throughout the college’s various locations by constructing office space at rural instructional sites to enhance privacy for mental health services while faculty and staff receive professional development on behavioral health.