With a growing demand for workers in human services, mental health and substance abuse/addiction fields, UNH Manchester and Network4Health are supporting workforce development through the Network4Health Behavioral Health Scholarship. The scholarship supports students in UNH Manchester’s psychology and neuropsychology programs who plan to pursue careers in behavioral health, with awards up to $5,000 annually for full-time students. UNH Manchester has awarded $100k to students pursuing work in these high-demand fields.
“We are proud to partner with Network4Health to offer this scholarship to our students,” says Alison Paglia, associate professor of psychology and chair of the Department of Life Sciences at UNH Manchester. “We hope this will bring awareness to careers in human services and behavioral health fields as well as address the critical shortage areas in the behavioral health workforce.”
Michael McMahon '23 was among the first to receive the scholarship. The psychology major says he chose UNH Manchester for its location, small sizes and opportunities for faculty mentorship, and the scholarship helped make it possible.
"I always strive to get good grades, and this scholarship was a nice achievement and validation that I am doing well in my major," McMahon says. "Receiving this scholarship was amazing and really helps with the expenses that go along with being enrolled in college courses."
With demand for mental health services on the rise, the workforce shortage in behavioral health fields has become increasingly dire. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that between 2020 and 2030 the number of behavioral health jobs will increase by 23 percent—nearly three times higher than the average growth rate for all occupations.
UNH Manchester's neuropsychology program was created in 2016 to address the growth rate in the healthcare and social assistance industries. Neuropsychology graduates are in high demand in fields like medicine, therapy, counseling and more—which is why 100% of UNH Manchester's 2022 neuropsychology graduates were employed or enrolled in further education within six months of graduation. Graduates have gone onto graduate programs and careers in nuclear medicine, physical therapy, occupational therapy, physician assistant and more.
Geoff Vercauteren, director of workforce development for Network4Health at Catholic Medical Center, says the cost of education can be a barrier for students who want to pursue careers in these fields, and the Network4Health Behavioral Health Scholarship was created to address that.
“These awards will help reduce this barrier and in turn, create a pipeline of qualified employees to fill critical shortages of behavioral health professionals in the Manchester region," Vercauteren says.
One student this award reduced barriers for is Pamella Mozzer '23. The neuropsychology major says the scholarship has given her the means to focus more on her studies, which includes conducting brain research with Professor Daniel Seichepine and two of her peers.
"Receiving this award was an honor. The financial help that this scholarship provided me allowed me to focus more on my academic career, including conducting rewarding research," Mozzer says. "Working alongside my peers and professor allowed me to interact with the community here and further my academic career."
Network4Health is an organization of more than 40 partners seeking to improve health and wellness in communities surrounding Greater Manchester, Derry and Salem. Vercauteren says this scholarship exemplifies the mission of Network4Health and UNH Manchester to meet the demand for skilled behavioral health professionals.
“This initiative addresses a critical need for the greater Manchester region, and this partnership between Network4Health and UNH Manchester reflects our shared commitment to be responsive to the need for competent, compassionate professionals in the behavioral health workforce.”
After graduating this spring, McMahon plans to work alongside a social worker at an assisted living community and eventually pursue his master’s degree to become a licensed social worker. As an empathetic person, he says many aspects of psychology resonate with him.
"I feel that we need more people who can devote their time to the wellness of others," McMahon says.
Mozzer, who plans to attend graduate school to become a physician assistant, echoed that sentiment. Behavioral health fields can be challenging, she says, but very rewarding.
"This career path is demanding and difficult, but being able to help even one person just makes it all worth it," Mozzer says.
The Network4Health Behavioral Health Scholarship is open to students from certain New Hampshire towns who enroll in UNH Manchester’s psychology and neuropsychology programs. UNH Manchester awards several scholarships up to a maximum of $2,500 annually for part-time students and $5,000 annually for full-time students. Learn more about eligibility requirements and apply by April 30, 2023.