Dr. Stephanie Simmons

A grant will help improve mental health care in East Texas.

The University of Texas at Tyler recently received a $1.5 million grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration to fund a project led by Dr. Stephanie Simmons, an associate professor at the School of Medicine Robert M. Rogers Department of Psychiatry and psychology internship training director. Currently, the program has six interns who provide behavioral health services at the UT Tyler Health Science Center. The funding will provide training for 24 additional psychology interns, with a particular focus in child and adolescent psychology, and mental health services at no cost for patients. 

“This funding will enhance how we can serve the community, making behavioral health care  more accessible — especially in rural regions,” said Dr. Sue Cox, School of Medicine dean. “Investments in behavioral health are needed everywhere—and nowhere is that more evident than right here in East Texas.” 

According to the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute, the suicide rate in all 35  counties in Northeast Texas is higher than both the state and national average. If Northeast Texas were its own state, it would rank as the 40th worst state for youth suicide — 15 places  below Texas, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 

“Every county in East Texas is considered to be a Behavioral Healthcare Provider Shortage Area  by the Health Resources and Services Administration,” Simmons said. “This funding will increase behavioral health presence and providers throughout the region. Our interns will be rotating through clinics where patients are seeing their primary care doctors, instead of being siloed in a behavioral healthcare outpatient clinic. The interns will be embedded where people  already receive care — making behavioral health support more accessible, timely and  integrated into everyday health care.” 

Simmons joined the School of Medicine in 2019. She serves as a member and professional  mentor for the American Psychological Association Division 53. She has publications in various journals, participated in seven peer-reviewed conference presentations, and been invited to deliver 19 lectures. She has a special interest in evidence-based treatment  approached, developmentally informed care, family systems and parents, and trauma informed practice.