2023 Mental Health Mentorship Specialty Training Program

Dear Colleague,

The Foundation of the CMSC (FCMSC) and the Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers (CMSC) are pleased to announce the continuation of the Mental Health Mentorship Program, established to promote the CMSC’s core value: the need for comprehensive care for people living with multiple sclerosis (MS). The program supports additional training to stimulate excellence and growth in the delivery of mental health in the field of MS. 

There is a national shortage of mental health practitioners knowledgeable about neuropsychiatric disorders in MS. This training forum will provide health professionals with a special interest or specialty in MS with new information about challenges of the disease. Candidates for this program are nursing professionals with a mental health background, social workers, psychologists, psychiatrists, and PAs. They will be provided with new information about the unique challenges faced by persons living with MS, screening strategies for recognizing the presence of mental health issues, and best practices for mental health care to maximize outcomes.

This mentorship program will pair mental health experts with professionals who are contemplating a focus on multiple sclerosis mental health care or are 1-3 years into their MS specialty career. Mentors will share their knowledge and experience with their MS Mental Health Mentorship trainees over the five-day mentorship experience. Selected trainees will be provided with scholarship funds of $2500 to cover travel, lodging, and meals. Trainees are responsible for any expenses incurred over scholarship amount.

THE MENTORSHIP EXPERIENCE

The Mental Health Mentorship program will take place on-site at three selected CMSC MS Centers in the United States in 2023. Up to twelve mental health mentorship experiences will be awarded according to eligibility guidelines. Each scholar will participate in a total of 35 hours of training covering aspects of mental health and comprehensive care provided at a CMSC MS center. Areas of education may include, but not be limited to:

1. Recognition of common and unusual presentations and manifestations of mental health disorders in the MS patient and apply these concepts to appropriate diagnosis and management.
2. Appreciation of the vital role in comprehensive clinical care of the MS patient played by mental health providers, including social workers, psychologists, psychiatrists, nurses and PAs.
3. Identification and affiliation with an appropriate mentor who will encourage the participant to select MS as a specialty in areas including:   Social Work, Psychology, Psychiatry, Research, Nursing and PA.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

• Applicants must be professionals with a special interest in the mental health needs of multiple sclerosis patients (nursing professional, psychologists, social workers, psychiatrist, and PA),
• Be available to attend one of these session training dates and stay through completion of the program on the last day (not including travel which may involve an additional two days).
• Selected candidates must be able to provide documentation of up-to-date vaccinations including COVID vaccinations.

Eligibility is limited to professionals recent to MS work who have not previously been awarded and completed this mentorship scholarship.

EVALUATION/SELECTION PROCESS

Candidates may apply independently or be nominated by their department heads or program directors.  Applications will be reviewed by a select committee comprised of CMSC/FCMSC leadership independent of grantors or supporters.

INFORMATION FOR APPLICANTS:

Please provide the following additional information with the application form:

• A brief biographical sketch or CV.
• A 2–4-page summary (not including references) of current work experience and/or career goals in the field of multiple sclerosis, professional goals and objectives for your participation in the MS Mental Health Mentorship Program as well as any plans for education of colleagues upon return from this program.
• A letter of recommendation and support from current supervisor/academic supervisor stating commitment and plans for utilization of the skills this course provides.
• Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.
• Applications will be accepted through June 26, 2023

If you have any questions about the program, please contact Nancy Chazen, at 201-487-1050 x107, nancy.chazen@mscare.org.

Thank you for your collaboration with the CMSC and FCMSC, and your role in Building the MS Workforce of the Future!

Sincerely,
Fred Foley, PhD, Chair of the CMSC Special Interest Group for Mental Health Professionals (MS MHP)
Terry Lee-Wilk, PhD, Co-Chair of the CMSC Special Interest Group for Mental Health Professionals (MS-MHP)
Nancy Chazen, CSW, MS, Foundation of the CMSC Program Administrator