Funds issued to students pursuing careers treating mental health or substance use disorders

Boston - The Healey-Driscoll Administration announced today that they have issued $12.4 million through the Behavioral Health Trust Fund to 37 colleges and universities to financially support behavioral health students completing unpaid internships and field placements. These grants are for undergraduate and graduate-level students pursuing careers treating mental health or substance use disorders and are part of the state’s efforts to grow a culturally and linguistically diverse behavioral health workforce in Massachusetts. 

“Massachusetts needs more qualified behavioral health professionals, and our administration is committed to supporting students eager to do this work,” said Governor Maura Healey. “By investing in students looking to treat those experiencing mental health and substance use challenges, we’re investing in the long-term health and wellness of communities across Massachusetts.” 

“We want Massachusetts residents to be able to access qualified behavioral health professionals when and where they and their families need them, and that will only happen if we lift barriers for entering this field,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “One crucial step to creating a strong behavioral health workforce is making earning a degree financially feasible for students driven to fill the roles.”

Many behavioral health degree and certificate programs require workplace-based internships, apprenticeships, or practicum credit hours as a condition for program completion. Required field placements play a central role in helping students prepare to serve as behavioral health practitioners, but these experiences are often unpaid and often require students to sacrifice paid work. To support students pursing these careers, the funding is going to colleges with behavioral health degrees that require field placements, with a focus on institutions in geographic areas that are priorities for advancing health equity. 

“By lifting financial barriers for students pursuing behavioral health degrees, we are encouraging a more diverse student body to enter this field, which helps us create a more diverse workforce to meet the needs of residents from various backgrounds,” said Education Secretary Dr. Patrick Tutwiler. “We’re proud to launch a program that helps those looking to help others.” 

“A good internship or field placement can teach a person much-needed skills and help them gain experiences that last long into that individual’s career,” said Health and Human Services Secretary Kate Walsh. “I am grateful this funding gives us the chance to support people financially, which not only helps build a more diverse workforce but also ensures people reach the right behavioral health services when and where they need it. Building a stronger workforce that does not have to worry about financial limitations means we can help every person and community throughout Massachusetts get the care they need and in a way that truly makes a difference.”?

The behavioral health internship funds are being issued to campuses as grants to be distributed to qualifying students over a two-year period and can be applied to internships being completed in the 2024-2025 academic year and 2025-2026 academic year. Students at the awarded institutions who may be eligible for the funding should speak with their program advisor and financial aid office.

“Internships help behavioral health graduates prepare to serve community members on day one, and these funds will lessen the financial burden of completing these essential learning experiences,” said Commissioner of Higher Education Noe Ortega. “The more we make entering the behavioral health workforce possible, the more we can create a pipeline of talented professionals prepared to serve residents across the Commonwealth.”  

This funding is from the Behavioral Health Trust Fund that was established by the state with American Rescue Plan Act funds and is managed by the Secretary of Health and Human Services. The Behavioral Health Trust Fund was a recommendation of the Behavioral Health Advisory Commission, which was comprised of 22 members from government and the behavioral health sector. Funds are used for addressing barriers to the delivery of an equitable, culturally competent, affordable, and clinically appropriate continuum of behavioral health care and services.

“This program is a strong step to make working in behavioral health more accessible for Massachusetts students,” said Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). “This is an investment in homegrown talent that will help alleviate the workforce shortages in our behavioral health system. I’m grateful to the Healey-Driscoll Administration for dispensing these funds, and look forward to seeing these young people make a difference in our state.”

Massachusetts’ public and private colleges and universities receiving funds include:

- American International College: $310,000
- Anna Maria College: $130,000
- Assumption University: $170,000
- Bay Path University: $695,000
- Berklee College of Music: $85,000
- Boston College: $785,000
- Boston Graduate School of Psychoanalysis Inc: $50,000
- Boston University: $935,000
- Bridgewater State University: $580,000
- Cambridge College: $460,000
- College of Our Lady of the Elms: $165,000
- Emmanuel College: $110,000
- Fitchburg State University: $70,000
- Framingham State University: $70,000
- Gordan College: $50,000
- Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary: $105,000
- Harvard University: $50,000
- Lesley University: $675,000
- Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts: $50,000
- MCPHS University: $150,000
- Merrimack College: $80,000
- MGH Institute of Health Professions: $55,000
- Northeastern University: $180,000
- Regis College: $285,000
- Salem State University: $930,000
- Simmons University: $1,540,000
- Smith College: $260,000
- Springfield College: $1,045,000
- Suffolk University: $65,000
- Tufts University: $230,000
- University of Massachusetts - Amherst: $50,000
- University of Massachusetts - Boston: $370,000
- University of Massachusetts - Dartmouth: $140,000
- Western New England University: $180,000
- Westfield State University: $400,000
- WILLIAM JAMES College: $395,000
- Worcester State University: $485,000

Statements of Support

Senator Michael J. Rodrigues (D-Westport), Senate Chair, Committee on Ways and Means:

“I’m thrilled the Healey-Driscoll Administration has dedicated over $12 million in higher educational funding to train college students specializing in mental health through the Behavioral Health Trust Fund. These grants are a smart extension of an original ARPA program designed to expand entries into the behavioral health field and remove barriers to enable a more culturally diverse behavioral health workforce. With a recognized health care workforce shortage, and continuing demand, the Legislature, in partnership with the Administration, has made addressing this disparity a top priority for the Commonwealth.”

Representative Dave Rogers (D-Cambridge), House Chair, Joint Committee on Higher Education:

“As House Chair of the Higher Education Committee, I applaud the Healey-Driscoll Administration for prioritizing the need to strengthen our behavioral health workforce. By supporting students pursuing careers in mental health and substance use treatment, this investment will empower a new generation of practitioners to meet the many needs of communities across Massachusetts and will help ensure greater equity, accessibility, and affordability in behavioral healthcare." 

Senator John C. Velis (D-Westfield), Senate Chair, Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use, and Recovery:

"The experiences and knowledge gained outside of a classroom during an internship can be truly invaluable for individuals aspiring to work in the behavioral health space. Yet I routinely hear from students about the very real financial challenges they face while completing an unpaid internship, which oftentimes keeps students from participating in an internship altogether. I am grateful to the Healey-Driscoll Administration and Secretary Walsh for recognizing this significant barrier for many students and utilizing funds from the Behavioral Health Trust Fund to support students and grow out our behavioral health workforce."

Representative Adrian C. Madaro (D-Boston), House Chair, Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery: 

“As Co-Chair of the Behavioral Health Advisory Commission, I was pleased to see the Legislature adopt our recommendation to fund unpaid internships and field placements for people seeking careers in behavioral health through the Behavioral Health Trust Fund. I am grateful to the Healey-Driscoll administration for working with colleges and universities to get these dollars out. This is a unique opportunity to leverage federal funding to remove barriers and create more equitable pathways to careers treating mental health or substance use disorders.”

Senator Julian Cyr (D-Truro), Former Co-Chair, Behavioral Health Advisory Commission:

"This investment in our behavioral health workforce is a game-changer. By supporting students in fulfilling the often unpaid and demanding requirements of their training, Massachusetts is breaking down barriers and making these critical careers more accessible. By easing the financial burden on students pursuing careers in mental health and substance use treatment, we’re not just investing in their futures—we’re investing in the wellbeing of our communities. As a Commonwealth, we must prioritize building a diverse, culturally responsive behavioral health workforce that can meet the complex needs of every Massachusetts resident. This initiative is a win for our students, our health equity goals, and our collective resilience."  

Senator Cindy F. Friedman (D-Arlington), Senate Chair, Joint Committee on Health Care Financing:

"In order to truly strengthen our behavioral health system, we need to invest in our workforce and the development of our providers. We rightfully require providers to gain practical experience, but we do this through uncompensated field placements and internships, and without adequate funding for these experiences, we are in effect excluding or at best, making it truly difficult for individuals with limited financial means from entering the field. This program will serve as a gamechanger for increasing access for those looking to join the behavioral health workforce.”

Representative John J. Lawn, Jr. (D-Watertown), House Chair, Joint Committee on Health Care Financing:

“Not a day goes by where I don’t hear about the massive workforce shortage in our health care system from all stakeholders I meet with, and it is particularly jarring in the behavioral health care sector.” “This funding will support the House’s commitment, under the leadership of Speaker Mariano, to access to high-quality low-cost health care by aiding universities in relieving the heavy financial burden that students face when completing their degree’s work requirements. This is a huge win for behavioral health and health care in Massachusetts as a whole.”

Representative Kip A. Diggs (D-Barnstable), Vice-Chair, Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development:

"Too many of our people are suffering from mental health and substance use disorders. Growing the behavioral health workforce is crucial to ensure that all of those who need these behavioral health services are served. I am thrilled to see the Healey-Driscoll Administration taking concrete steps to support the next generation of behavioral health professionals in Massachusetts by providing financial assistance to students completing unpaid internships and field placements. These students perform incredibly important work as part of their studies and I am glad to see millions of dollars allocated so that they will be compensated for it."

Association for Behavioral Healthcare President and CEO Lydia Conley:

“As the behavioral health workforce crisis continues and the need for care throughout the commonwealth grows, programs such as this one are essential in building a cadre of emerging professionals to provide high-quality, community-based care where it is needed the most. This vital investment will provide critical support to students with significant financial needs and will enable behavioral health providers statewide to more equitably and comprehensively meet the needs of their communities.”

Dr. Linda Thompson, Chair of the Massachusetts State Universities Council of Presidents and President of Westfield State University:

“We consider our state university system extensions of support structures that provide essential resources and develop plans to address the health needs of our citizens. The grant tuition subsidies issued by the Healy-Driscoll Administration, through the Behavior Health Trust Fund, is a strong example of government, education and the behavioral health sector partnering to serve a critical need in our communities. Our state universities are eager to assist in filling the gaps that lead to better outcomes for individuals experiencing mental health challenges, and are committed to working with the Governor’s Office, health agencies and legislators to develop a knowledgeable, experienced workforce to ensure everyone who requires mental health assistance receives the support they need.”

Rob McCarron, President, Association of Independent Colleges and Universities in Massachusetts:

“The grants awarded through The Behavioral Health Trust Fund is very welcome news for the thousands of Massachusetts students who are studying for a career in behavioral health at a private college or university. Our sector plays a key role in meeting the demand of the behavioral health workforce in the Commonwealth; supporting all students in their training and internships is crucial to keeping the talent pipeline robust.”