Mississippi deploys $13.4M to bolster mental health services for youth

Mississippi is deploying more than $13.4 million to strengthen mental health systems for children, youth and students, Gov. Tate Reeves said in a Facebook post. The announcement says the funding will expand access to mental health care statewide.

The post says the money will be used to increase telehealth capacity, support specialized behavioral health workforce training and enhance community-based education efforts across the state. Officials framed the initiative as a broad effort to reach more young people in schools and communities.

Public health officials and mental health advocates have long pointed to shortages of behavioral health providers and barriers to care, especially in rural states such as Mississippi. Expanding telehealth and training more specialists are common strategies states have used to address those challenges.

The funding could improve access to services for students and reduce gaps in care, particularly in areas with few local providers, officials said in the post. We will provide more information as it becomes available.