A significant stride in supporting mental health within Montana’s educational landscape has been made, thanks to Dr. Anisa Goforth at the University of Montana. Dr. Goforth, a renowned professor of psychology, has successfully secured a substantial $3.5 million grant dedicated to her groundbreaking initiative. This project aims to enhance mental health resources specifically in rural and Indigenous schools throughout Montana.
The initiative, under Dr. Goforth’s leadership, seeks to address the pressing need for more qualified school psychologists within the state’s K-12 system. Currently, the graduate training program at UM’s School of Psychology, led by Goforth, typically graduates about six students each year. However, with the new funding, this number is anticipated to increase significantly. The program now aims to graduate 27 professionals who are well-prepared to deliver vital mental health services to rural and Indigenous communities across the state.
This development heralds a positive shift towards bolstering educational support systems, ensuring that all students have access to the mental health resources they need to thrive in their academic environments.