A Topeka non-profit is working with Advisors Excel and The Ellis Foundation to create a scholarship for future mental health professionals called the Jones Family Scholarship. This scholarship will be awarded to four Kansas high school students who plan to attend an in-state institution and pursue careers in mental health. Additionally, there will be a bonus for those who choose to practice in Kansas after completing their degree.
The Executive Director of the Jones Project, Damon Parker, is excited about this opportunity to make a positive impact on mental health access in Kansas. He explained that the organization’s original mission was to address teen mental health issues, but through interactions with students, counselors, and community members, he realized the challenges faced by rural areas in accessing mental health services.
Parker highlighted the difficulties some students face in having to travel long distances to meet with a therapist, and emphasized the importance of increasing access to mental health services in these underserved areas. More details about the Jones Family Scholarship will be announced soon as the organization seeks to support aspiring mental health professionals in Kansas.
