NEW YORK – New York City opened on Monday Applications for the Student Loan Forgiveness Program for Mental and Behavioral Health Professionalso. This thanks to an anonymous donation of $1 million that allowed to launch this program, announced Mayor Eric Adams and the hospital system NYC Health + Hospitals.
The new program is designed to help attract and retain physicians, nurse practitioners and other physicians who serve New Yorkers with mental health or substance use needs, as the US faces a national shortage of mental health professionals. .
NYC Health + Hospitals will offer licensed psychiatrists, psychiatric nurse practitioners, psychologists and clinical social workers between $30,000 and $50,000 in debt relief in exchange for a three-year commitment to serve the public health system.
NYC Health + Hospitals provides about half of all behavioral or mental health services for children and adults in New York City. The loan forgiveness program will be available to eligible employees and new hires for the next year or until the $1 million donation has been distributed.
“Behavioral health professionals in our public health system work tirelessly to support the most vulnerable New Yorkers living with mental illness and alcohol and substance use disorders,” said Mayor Adams. “Too often, these healthcare workers graduate with crippling debt and have no choice but to work in the private sector to pay their bills. Especially at a time when the nation is facing a shortage of these life-saving professionals while also facing an increased need for these professionals due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this loan forgiveness program will help us attract and retain top talent to continue serving New Yorkers. I am grateful to the anonymous donor for this generous donation, and I encourage other businesses and individuals to contribute if they can support this important cause.”
Beginning psychiatrists have an average debt of $190,000 in medical school, psychiatric nurses have an average debt of $56,000, social workers have an average debt of $68,000, and psychologists have an average debt of $80,000.
As part of the nation’s largest municipal health care system, NYC Health + Hospitals’ public hospitals and neighborhood health centers offer a wide variety of excellent mental health services to promote recovery from mental illness of all kinds. In addition, NYC Health + Hospitals offers the highest quality alcohol and substance use recovery programs as part of its behavioral and mental health services, with personalized and caring treatment plans that are effective for each patient.
New Yorkers in need of mental health or substance use support can call 844-NYC-4NYC to make an appointment at NYC Health + Hospitals or contact NYC Well online.
What is the Student Loan Forgiveness Program for Mental/Behavioral Health Professionals?
NYC Health + Hospitals established the $1 million Behavioral Health Loan Repayment Program (BH4NYC) to support behavioral health professionals. As the largest provider of mental health and substance use services in New York City, NYC Health + Hospitals is strengthening its commitment to its workforce. BH4NYC will award grants to physicians who meet the criteria. This program was started with funding from a generous leadership donor.
Who is eligible for the program?
- psychiatrists
- Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners (Psych NP)
- Licensed Clinical Psychologists
- Licensed Clinical Social Workers
How does it work?
- Applicants who meet the criteria must commit to working a minimum of 3 years full-time at NYC Health + Hospitals.
- Physicians will meet for a maximum of $50,000 in loan forgiveness.
- Non-physician clinicians will qualify for a maximum of $30,000 in loan forgiveness.
- The program ends when we reach $1 million in total loans forgiven.
- This program is limited to 1 year.
- Begins accepting applications on July 25, 2022.
How did you qualify for help?
- Graduated from a relevant degree program, including those from outside the United States. (Programs accredited by the Commission of their discipline).
- They are licensed and/or board certified within 5 years of completion of training. The board certification requirement may be waived in some cases.
- They are in good standing with the licensing body for their clinical discipline.
- They are committed to working full-time for NYC Health + Hospitals for at least 3 years.
- You are a physician with a minimum of $50,000 in school loan debt.
- You are a non-physician practicing physician and have a minimum of $30,000 in school loan debt.
- They do not participate in or receive loan forgiveness from another source.
- I have never received loan forgiveness or repayment through NYC Health + Hospitals employment.
- You are a US citizen or permanent resident alien with an I-155 or I-551 card.
How do I apply?
Applications are accepted in two rounds from July 25, 2022 to November 25, 2022 and January 1, 2023 to May 1, 2023 for current employees and are reviewed the second and last Friday of each month for new employees. applicants. Applications are reviewed on an ongoing basis.
To fill out the application go toprecious.
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