Bridging the Gap in Mental Health Representation
SpringBridge is expanding diversity in mental health by recruiting, educating, mentoring and developing the next generation of mental health professionals.
The Problem
There is a lack of representation among mental health professionals. This lack of equity and inclusion affects attendance and reliance in mental health care among underserved, disadvantaged, and diverse communities. It affects research topics, methodology, and interest as the unique cultural and ethnic backgrounds among researchers remains limited.
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Socioeconomic status is the biggest factor impacting both the likelihood of attending and ultimately graduating college regardless of race/ethnicity. Quality education remains to be consumed in majority by those with higher socioeconomic backgrounds. Financial barriers, first generation students, institutional support, and extra-curricular activities all play a role in college attendance and graduation.
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This results in a narrow group of mental health professionals, typically from middle/higher socioeconomic backgrounds, trying to service a diverse population.
Our Solution
Our program is expanding diversity in the next generation of mental health professionals by providing the necessary resources, support, and opportunities to individuals from diverse and underserved backgrounds.
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We are achieving this by providing education, mentorship, advocacy, and financial support to empower a more diverse cohort of mental health professionals. Ensuring the next generation of mental health providers who stem from disadvantaged communities, can give back to these communities upon graduation.
We aim to become a model for other industries to develop pathways to career access through like programs that include education enrichment, mentorship, and career development.
Our Initiatives
SpringBridge focuses on initiatives aimed at promoting diversity and inclusion in mental health through education, providing accessible resources, supporting underrepresented communities, and creating pathways for any individual to pursue a career in mental health.
The CAARE (Career Access, Advocacy, Resources, Education) Enrichment Program supports students from disadvantaged backgrounds through their education journey toward mental health licensure.
Each program participant is paired with a mental health professional who supports the students journey from education to career. Financial guidance, emotional support, education requirement monitoring and much more.
At SpringBridge, we focus on internal hiring so that our program participants are the first employed during and after their educational journey. Our graduates have the opportunity to partner in a SpringBridge Community Center.
SpringBridge Community Centers are operated by graduates of our CAARE Enrichment program. These centers are recognized symbols of inclusion and familiarity for those in the community to seek mental health care.
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