Two Sul Ross State University graduate students of Counseling-Clinical Mental Health are each the recipients of a $10,000 grant through a partnership with The University of Texas El Paso and Preventative Care Health Services (PCHS).

The grant is awarded by the Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training program through the U.S. Department of Health with a goal to support the education of mental health professionals in rural areas. SRSU can administer up to eight grants a year.

Both students, Crystal Lujan and Daniel Fuentes, are now fellows with the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Mental Health Department. The grant covers living expenses while they accrue 3,000 Licensed Professional Counselor practicum hours at PCHS and at clinics in Brewster, Presidio, Hudspeth, Culberson and Jeff Davis counties.

Four additional SRSU graduate students are embedded in PCHS for training, including Amanda Davis, a practicum student who is the first student ever integrated into the medical clinic to assist with mental health evaluations and screenings.

Two additional grant slots are still open for graduate counseling students who are interested.

Email jess.schauman@sulross.edu for more information.