The Cherokee Nation is working to address the shortage of mental health professionals within the tribe by offering a unique scholarship aimed at developing a new generation of behavioral health experts. One of the first recipients, Nataliia Goodman, a 21-year-old Cherokee citizen, has expressed her gratitude for the scholarship, which has alleviated financial pressure and allowed her to focus on her education and long-term career goals.
Goodman, a Tulsa resident, plans to graduate with a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Oral Roberts University in May and pursue a master’s in behavioral health. The Cherokee Nation Behavioral Health Scholarship, which is open to full-time students pursuing degrees in behavioral health or clinical psychology, is part of the tribe’s broader efforts to invest in its citizens and meet the increasing demand for mental health professionals.
Goodman’s scholarship is a key part of the Cherokee Nation’s initiative to support its people in the field of behavioral health, particularly those who will provide services within the Cherokee Nation Reservation. The scholarship, announced in 2023, was established with a $5 million endowment from the tribe’s opioid industry settlements. The tribe hopes this will encourage more Cherokee students to enter the field of behavioral health and address the mental health needs of the community, particularly given the widespread effects of generational trauma.
Goodman, who is currently working as a mental health technician, intends to remain in her position while pursuing her master’s. She sees herself eventually working as a therapist for the Cherokee Nation, with aspirations of writing self-help books, becoming an adjunct professor, or even opening her own private practice. She attributes her interest in mental health to her own personal struggles, which led her to combine her faith with a desire to help others overcome trauma.
The scholarship is just one piece of a larger strategy by the Cherokee Nation to invest in the health and wellbeing of its citizens. Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. and Deputy Chief Bryan Warner, who introduced the program, emphasized the importance of addressing generational trauma and providing a sustainable workforce for mental health services within the tribe. The Cherokee Nation Public Health and Wellness Fund Act dedicates substantial resources toward addressing behavioral health issues, including opioid addiction, with a portion of settlement funds also being allocated to build mental health facilities across the reservation.
The Cherokee Nation has also partnered with Northeastern State University (NSU) to offer additional scholarships, such as the Cherokee Nation Public Health Scholarship, to help develop a pipeline of qualified providers. This initiative aims to fill the gap of licensed counselors and behavioral health professionals in the region, ensuring that Cherokee citizens can access the care they need from providers who understand the unique cultural and community challenges they face.
The tribe’s efforts are a direct response to the shortage of behavioral health providers, particularly in rural areas. By investing in education and creating opportunities for Cherokee citizens to work in their community, the tribe hopes to ensure that more mental health professionals are available to serve the needs of the Cherokee people.
Through scholarships like these, the Cherokee Nation is working to strengthen its healthcare system, reduce the impact of addiction, and provide lasting support for its citizens’ mental health.
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