WICHE Mental Health Program

INTO THE 21ST CENTURY

The mission of the WICHE Mental Health program is twofold: 1) to assist states in improving systems of care for mental health consumers and their families; and 2) to advance the preparation of a qualified mental health workforce in the West. The program collaborates with states to meet the challenges of changing environments through regional research and evaluation, policy analysis, program development, technical assistance, and information sharing.

WICHE Mental Health Program Background & Experience

The WICHE Mental Health Program has focused on supporting public mental health system improvement and the training needs of the mental health workforce in the West as a major part of its agenda for a half-century. The role of higher education in the development of effective mental health professionals has been a natural fit for the mental health program within the WICHE family of programs. The values for the western states to develop, recruit and retain a workforce educated to serve the mental health needs of western states citizens with culturally effective approaches has been the primary mission of the program since its inception. Because of the Interstate Compact, contracting with WICHE is on an inter-governmental basis, and WICHE performs all technical assistance and other activities for member states at cost.

The WICHE mental health program is a recognized leader in rural and frontier mental health, cultural competence, and telemedicine/web-based health. (...read more)

Rural and Frontier

Workforce

Children & Older Adults

Culture

Western States Decision Support Group

Departmental Resources

Publications