Bridging the Divide: Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Behavioral Healthcare
Scholarship

Purpose

Seeking behavioral health treatment is a courageous decision. Research shows that people are more likely to report positive experiences in treatment when they share the race, ethnicity, or gender of their provider. Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), LGBTQ+ individuals, and people with disabilities are underrepresented as mental health consumers (patients/clients) and providers (professionals). 
 
The Mental Health Association of Rhode Island (MHARI) aims to increase the availability of culturally and linguistically competent mental health providers in Rhode Island. This program aims to award scholarships to graduate students from diverse backgrounds studying in behavioral health programs in Rhode Island. Supporting today’s students will diversify tomorrow's mental health professionals, thus increasing access to treatment and services for under-represented groups. 
 

Scholarships

Scholarship awards are $10,000 and will be paid directly to your college or university.


Eligibility

  • Be a United States citizen, DACA Student, National, or hold an immigration visa. Persons with a temporary or student visa are not eligible. 
  • Enrolled in full-time or part-time Graduate studies at one of the following universities in Rhode Island: Rhode Island College, University of Rhode Island, Providence College, Johnson & Wales University, Roger Williams University, Brown University, or Salve Regina University
  • Enrolled in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Social Work, Marriage & Family Therapy, Ph.D. in Psychology, or Psychiatry Degree programs.
  • Must be on a clinical track, not policy or administration.
  • Recommended GPA of 3.0 or above
  • Must demonstrate financial need 
  • Commitment to practicing in Rhode Island upon graduation and licensure. 

Must fall into  one or more of the groups below:

  • People who come from minority racial or ethnic groups (for example: Black, Indigenous, People of Color)
  • Speakers of English as a Second Language,
  • LGBTQ+ Individuals
  • A person with a disability


Deadline: Apply by February 31st, 2024 for a scholarship

Instructions:

Applicants are encouraged to read the instructions and Application Preview before completing the application. If the application is not correctly submitted, the application will not be considered. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure the accuracy of the application. An application cannot be revised once it is submitted.


All application materials must be uploaded directly to the application platform. For technical assistance, please contact francesca.raoelison@mhari.org with the subject line "DEI SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION." 

 

A complete application consists of:
  • Online application form
  • 2 recommendations from current or previous supervisors or instructors. Recommendations may not be from friends or family members.  We will need contact information for each one.
  • Your response to the essay question submitted in a Word document, PDF or YouTube video
  • Academic transcript
  • FAFSA Summary or Determination Letter (DACA students are exempt from this requirement.)

After submitting an application, the applicant will receive an email confirmation from the DEI Program Manager of the Mental Health Association of Rhode Island. Applications will be forwarded to the Review Committee, which is composed of faculty, MHARI staff, and Members of MHARI's community-based Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Advisory Council. 

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* 1. Contact Information

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* 2. What Is the highest degree you have completed?

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* 3. Please tell us: 

1. the name and address of the school, college or institution where you completed your highest degree

2. field of study or major

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* 4. Please list all employment or internship experience within the past five years. (Include Position, Employer, Supervisor contact, Dates of Service) or feel free to drop your resume below

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* 5. Please list all volunteer experiences within the past three years. Include active participation in college activities or committees, professional or community organizations, teaching assistant experiences, etc.. 

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* 6. Upload Your Most Recent Resume.

PDF, DOC, DOCX, PNG, JPG, JPEG, GIF file types only.
Choose File

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* 7. Are you a Part-time or Full-Time Student?

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* 8. Which college or university do you attend?

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* 9. What is your current Degree Program?

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* 10. Credits completed towards degree

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* 11. Remaining credits needed for degree completion

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* 12. Date of admission to the program (or expected admission date if not yet enrolled)

Date

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* 13. Expected date of graduation

Date

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* 14. Cumulative GPA

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* 15. Upload Your Most Recent Academic Transcript.

PDF, DOC, DOCX, PNG, JPG, JPEG, GIF file types only.
Choose File

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