We are joining the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) to announce plans to establish a Mental Health Institute to expand mental health care access for underrepresented communities. This institute will build upon the proven success of UNLV PRACTICE, an interdisciplinary community mental health clinic on UNLV’s main campus in Las Vegas, Nevada, with an additional satellite location in the Las Vegas Medical District.
The development of this institute represents a significant stride forward. We want our support to reinforce UNLV PRACTICE’s mission to unify all of UNLV’s mental and behavioral training programs under a shared purpose: addressing Nevada’s mental health crisis comprehensively. This initiative aims to maximize UNLV’s capabilities in interprofessional training, clinical care, research, workforce development, and policy advocacy throughout Nevada.
Mental health care is a growing need among Clark County and Nevada communities. Lisa Nichols, vice president of Community Health at Intermountain Health, said, “Improving mental well-being is one of our community health priorities. We have seen it pronounced in our work as we evaluate Nevada’s most pressing health needs. The development of the Mental Health Institute will provide increased access to mental healthcare for many who need it most.”
Michelle G. Paul, Ph.D., who holds the Workday Endowed executive director position at UNLV PRACTICE, emphasized, “Through the Mental Health Institute, we will broaden our impact and collaborate in innovative ways to extend mental health care to our communities. We could not be more grateful and enthusiastic for being part of this endeavor.”
The Mental Health Institute will offer various services, including counseling, therapy, and medication management. The institute will also provide meaningful educational opportunities for students and researchers, strengthening the quality and reach of mental health services in Clark County and the rest of Nevada.
In addition to the plans for the Mental Health Institute, we have provided a $100,000 contribution to make this collaboration possible. “We are grateful for the generous contribution from Intermountain Health,” said Dr. Paul. “Intermountain’s support will help us to provide even more resources and services to those in need as we partner in improving mental health.”
Developing the Mental Health Institute is a significant step toward improving access to care in underserved communities. Mental health is a growing concern in Nevada, and UNLV’s commitment to addressing this issue is commendable. With support from organizations like ours, UNLV can work toward providing more resources and services to those in need and prepare the next generation of the mental health workforce to deliver quality, evidence-based care.