Massachusetts Association of Mental Health Recognizes William James College

Good evening. On behalf of William James College, Dr. Covino and I are honored to accept the 2024 Special Recognition Award in acknowledgment of our innovative behavioral health workforce development initiatives. 

At William James College, we are keenly aware of the significant shortage of behavioral health providers, especially those who are from historically marginalized backgrounds. And every day, we endeavor to implement best practices to address this pressing need. 

Over the past few years, William James College has launched a new Behavioral Health Service Corps and created several career ladder programs to train Community Health Workers, paraprofessionals, mental health counselors, schools psychologists, organizational leaders, and clinical psychologists—with a specific focus on recruiting first-generation students, members of the LGBTQIA+ community, ethnic/racial/linguistic minority groups, military personnel and veterans, and other groups that are underrepresented in the behavioral health field.

But this work would not have been possible without the contributions and support of many caring and dedicated people, including our students, faculty, staff, board members, funders, and community-based partners.

The late anthropologist Margaret Mead was quoted as saying, “Never underestimate the power of a small group of committed people to change the world. In fact, it is the only thing that ever has.”  Some of these concerned citizens and special agents of social justice and social change are here tonight. I would like to take a moment to acknowledge them. Our William James College colleagues, please rise and be recognized for all your contributions to our workforce development initiatives.

We are very grateful to the members of the Massachusetts Association for Mental Health (MAMH) for bestowing this prestigious honor on our College. Thank you very much for your kindness!  

Remarks by Dr. Gemima St. Louis
VP, Workforce Initiatives and Specialty Training

"MAMH is a distinguished organization that has been committed to raising the 
standards of care for people at risk of developing mental health conditions since 
1913.  It is a special honor to be recognized by this organization and to be present with you all.

This May, the Boston Public Health Commission reported that 44% of our adolescents experience persistent feelings of sadness and isolation. This number is worse for our young women, kids of color, and LGBTQIA+  youth. This is among the worst periods of time for the mental health of our young people. Our kids are not all right and not enough is being done to help them.

We are fortunate to have organizations and individuals like all of you in this room who are advocating and working in the spirit of Dr. Clifford Beers and his Mental 
Hygiene Colleagues. Most of the time, those who work to advance mental health 
are working alone or with only limited support. About 1.3% of Philanthropy goes 
to Mental Health. 44% of our young people are experiencing sadness and isolation and only 1.3% of philanthropy goes to mental health! We need more help and we certainly need each other. 

If you do not know about our work at William James College, please go to our 
Website and learn about us. If you don’t know of the good work of the folks at the table behind you or beside you tonight make some time to ask them about it.

We need each other to advance mental health. Thank you MAMH for what you do and for recognizing the efforts of your partners.  

Remarks by Dr. Nicholas Covino
President