Request for Applications
Mental & Behavioral Health Initiative at New Mexico’s Higher Education Institutions
Fiscal Year 2022 Application
Purpose of Grant and Problem It Solves
The New Mexico Higher Education Department (NMHED) is accepting applications for Fiscal Year 2022 (FY22) titled Mental and Behavior Health Initiatives at New Mexico’s Public and Tribal Higher Education Institutions. Poor mental health brings various consequences, as it can hinder a student’s academic success and lead to high dropout rates among struggling students. Students struggling with mental health are twice as likely to leave a college or university without graduating, and the results hold even after controlling for students’ prior academic records. Students suffering from symptoms of mental health disorders are at risk of a lower GPA, discontinuous enrollment, and possibly dropping out. Therefore, higher education institutions (HEIs) should aim to provide all students with access to mental health services that will in turn benefit the student population.
The purpose of this program is to support initiatives that prioritize students’ mental and behavioral health at New Mexico’s public and Tribal higher education institutions. The grant is designed to assist colleges and universities build essential capacity and infrastructure to create or support efforts to address mental and behavioral health, promote wellness, and cultivate a campus climate where mental and behavioral health resources are normalized as a critical component of student learning.
Key Dates
- Application Open: April 11, 2022
- Application Deadline: May 16, 2022
- Review of Award: May 20, 2022
- Announcement of Award: May 27, 2022
Available Funding
A total of $600,000 will be awarded. Twelve (12) individual grants of $50,000 will be awarded.
Eligible Applicants
- Public, post-secondary, higher education institutions or Tribal colleges in New Mexico
- Non-profit organizations that have a formalized relationship (MOU) with a public or Tribal higher education institutions to address mental and behavioral health issues
Evaluation Criteria
The New Mexico Higher Education Department (NMHED) will select awardees based on the following:
- Alignment of proposed activities with the purpose of the grant;
- Cost of service relative to need and cost efficiency;
- Track record of work with student populations; and
- Demonstrated commitment to addressing one or more areas of the areas below:
- Propose a campus-wide project that prioritizes mental health utilizing one or more of SAMHSA’s 8 Dimensions of Wellness (see APPENDIX)
- Partnering with other HEIs, public programs or non-profit organizations, and/or private entities to combine resources for supporting student mental health
- Leveraging technology to support students in various learning environments
- Designing and implementing a clear, comprehensive communication plan that addresses student mental health concerns
- Utilizing innovative methods such as podcasts, social media marketing, and/or highlighting the needs of vulnerable student groups
- Assessing the needs to diverse students to tailor mental health services and programs (Resource: “Higher Ed Today College Student Mental Health and Well-being” is an article with links to mental and behavior health initiatives at campuses across the country)
Grant Period
June 15, 2022 – May 15, 2023
Submissions
When submitting your application, please combine all relevant items into one PDF and save the file as “ACRONYMofyourschool/org.addressMHBH.5.22”.
Example: NMHED.addressMHBH.5.25
Please submit completed applications via email to Joel Zimmerer, Executive Administrative Coordinator at joel.zimmerer@hed.nm.gov.
Questions
For any questions, please contact Nathan Moquino, Director, NMHED Indian Education Division at Nathan.Moquino@hed.nm.gov or (505) 476-8400.