Mental health grants available for rural multicultural communities in Utah
May 13, 2022, 7:29 AM | Updated: 10:17 am
SALT LAKE CITY — Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, the need for mental health services has increased in rural parts of Utah.
There are grants available to help support these communities, courtesy of Cambia Health Solutions and the Utah Department of Human Services Substance Abuse and Mental Health.
Nonprofit groups that serve multicultural communities in rural Utah can apply for these state grants right now and help people who are struggling to find available resources.
“A lot of them feel that they do need that extra support, especially for individuals that have to travel or they have to get services through telehealth services,” said Rozanna Benally-Sagg, program specialist for the Utah Division of Multicultural Affairs.
There are two types of grants: Elevate and Journey.
The Elevate grant provides up to $50,000 to organizations that are launching new or early phase mental and behavioral health programs.
For groups that already have those programs in place and need an extra financial boost to keep them going, they can apply for the Journey grant and receive up to $100,000.
Our Multicultural Rural Mental Health Grant program is now accepting applications! This grant aims to support organizations that provide direct mental and behavioral health services in rural areas among multicultural communities.
> Apply by May 20th: https://t.co/I9OQBhVaYN pic.twitter.com/ozMVTk80AN
— Utah Division of Multicultural Affairs (@MulticulturalUT) April 18, 2022
State leaders have awarded 17 grants so far.
Groups are taking advantage of the funds by providing social-emotional kits for families, offering free workshops and addressing language barriers.
“Another organization that has sort of helped to combat that barrier has hired a Spanish-speaking interpreter,” said Benally-Sagg. “So, with that, there’s a sense of comfort with someone already speaking the language and already knowing maybe the living experience of that particular culture.”
There’s still time to get in on this — applications are due Friday, May 20, at 6 p.m.
For more information on eligibility and how to apply, click here.
