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MIDLAND, Texas (KOSA) -Though mental health awareness month is coming to an end.

Organizations around West Texas continue to prioritize mental health.

This fall Midland College will be offering a new mental health technician program.

Unlike other medical degrees and programs offered at Midland College.

This one focuses on the skills needed to help people with mental and behavioral health issues.

The Mental Health Technician program will be a part of their workforce development program and serve as a pipeline to the new Permian Basin Behavioral Health Center.

“Our legislators realized that this state needed this program, and that Midland College needed this program, so they were very supportive with the funding. We consulted with a meadow mental health policy institute to help us implement the program.” said Program Director of Behavioral Health Program Dr. Stephanie Caples.

Midland College is hoping that the new Mental Health Technician program will help avoid a shortage of behavioral health workers in the area.

“Shortage of behavioral health workers all over the nation. The Permian basin is no different. This area is considered an under-sure population as far as mental health services go so the program is the first of its kind out here. It will seek to start the pipeline and the process for fully staffing our area with the appropriate level of workforce.” said Dr. Stephanie Caples.

With the growing concerns of mental health problems in the Permian Basin.

Dr Caples believes this program will increase access to care for those in need of mental health services.

“The Permian basin community does have challenges with mental health, not just the services but our community is experiencing mental health conditions probably at a higher rate than the rest of the state because of the economy and the stresses of life.” said Dr. Stephanie Caples.

Dr. Caples’ ultimate goal is to expand the program and she wants everyone to have access to the mental healthcare that the community needs.

“Not only to certify our learners to be able to be employed in the behavioral health center and other areas in our community but to also grow the program so we have a continuous pipeline of mental health services and mental health workers,” said Dr. Stephanie Caples.

The Mental Health Technician program starts in August 2024.