COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
MASSACHUSETTS SENATE
STATE HOUSE, BOSTON 02133

Senator Joan B. Lovely
State Senator
2nd Essex District

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

December 12, 2024

Salem State University Receives DHE Grant for Behavioral Health Internship Program

 The initiative is designed to support students pursuing careers in mental health and substance use disorder treatment

(BOSTON—12/12/2024) Senate Assistant Majority Leader Joan B. Lovely (D-Salem) is pleased to announce that the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education (DHE) has launched a Behavioral Health Internship Program at Salem State University.

The initiative, which is funded by a $930,000 grant from DHE, is designed to support students pursuing careers in mental health and substance use disorder treatment.

“Investing in students pursuing careers in behavioral health is essential to addressing the ongoing need for mental health and substance use treatment providers in the Commonwealth,” said Senator Lovely. “Thank you to Commissioner of Higher Education Noe Ortega for your dedication to supporting our students’ career success while also bolstering our mental healthcare landscape.”

The Behavioral Health Internship Program allocates funding to higher education institutions to assist eligible undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in programs approved by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) and is a key to the Commonwealth’s broader efforts to grow and strengthen the behavioral health workforce, ensuring access to high-quality care for all Massachusetts residents.

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