1 - (SYM 6) Promoting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Mental Health Field: Mclean Hospital's Mentor, Empower, & Network to Optimize Representation (MENTOR) Program

Abstract Body
In 2022, McLean Hospital and two local state universities developed the Mentor, Empower, & Network to Optimize Representation (MENTOR) Program. The MENTOR Program was established to increase diversity, equity, and inclusion in clinical and research sectors of the mental health field through 1) engaging and empowering future clinicians and researchers from underrepresented backgrounds, 2) reducing barriers to pursuing graduate training, 3) fostering networking opportunities, and 4) helping students navigate internship and job opportunities. During the semester-long program, students are matched with a mentor—a clinical or research professional across psychology, psychiatry, neuroscience, social work, and mental health counseling. Students meet with their mentors at least four times and attend a seminar series, which offers access to myriad topics related to graduate education and career development. Thirty-six students participated in the first two cycles of the MENTOR Program to date. Students were 23 years old on average, majority women-identified (79% identified as “female,” 18% “male,” and 3% as “non-binary”), and racially and ethnically diverse (46% identified as Black/African American/African, 30% Hispanic/Latine, 9% Asian/Asian American, 9% White, 3% Brazilian, and 3% Native American). Program evaluation data demonstrated that over the course of the program, students reported increased connection to an individual in the mental health field, greater access to mentorship in pursuing a mental health career, greater familiarity with different types of mental health careers, greater understanding of the requirements for graduate school applications, and greater knowledge of internship and job opportunities. In assessing the extent to which the MENTOR Program achieved its core objectives, 95% of students reported the program engaged, inspired, and empowered them, 95% reported the program was effective in reducing barriers to pursuing graduate training, 95% said the program helped them foster networking opportunities, and 85% of students reported the program assisted them in navigating internship or job opportunities. In sum, program evaluation data demonstrate the MENTOR Program as an effective and feasible strategy to help increase diversity, equity, and inclusion among underrepresented undergraduate students interested in pursuing clinical or research careers in mental health field. The MENTOR Program may serve as a blueprint for other institutions who develop similar programs in the future.