The Mental Health Crisis Prevention Coalition, a local group that formed about two months ago, is ramping up its efforts to recruit a psychiatrist to Missoula.
At a meeting this week, coalition members explored the possibility of having Missoula County designated a Health Professional Shortage Area - a label that could help attract new psychiatry graduates by offering to pay their student loans.
In fact, a HPSA designation is required to access 37 different federal programs, noted John Schroeck, a primary care officer with the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services.
To contact the Mental Health Crisis Prevention Coalition to learn more about this opportunity, e-mail mslamentalhealth@gmail.com
Missoula, Montana: http://www.missoulacvb.org/
By TYLER CHRISTENSEN of the Missoulian
Full Story: http://missoulian.com/articles/2007/08/10/news/local/news03.txt