TAMIU Receives $400K THECB Grant to Help Reduce Mental Health Disparities Among Low-Income Adults in Laredo
Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) has received a $400,000 grant from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board’s (THECB) Minority Health Grant Program to help reduce mental health disparities among low-income adults in Laredo.
The two-year project will conduct robust data collection, targeted outreach, and workforce development.
The project is led by TAMIU principal investigators Dr. John Kilburn, professor, College of Arts and Sciences, department of Social Sciences; Dr. Cindy Lynn Salazar-Collier, assistant professor, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, and Dr. Adriana Blasco-Rubio, instructional associate professor, College of Arts and Sciences, department of Psychology and Communication, in partnership with the City of Laredo Public Health Department and Mid Rio Grande Border Area Health Education Center (AHEC).
Laredo faces significant mental health challenges, including a high, 20% diagnosis rate of depression, frequent mental distress affecting 16.2% of residents, and 18 suicides reported in 2024, with 11 more occurring in 2025, coupled with limited access to mental health services, low mental health literacy, and stigma, according to project principal investigators.
Dr. Kilburn underscored the urgency of a study addressing mental health support in the region.
“We are excited about being able to perform this study that will fill an urgent need in this region" Kilburn said, "In addition to providing funding for more mental health care being offered in the community, this program works toward understanding how friends and family may offer support to those suffering.”
Dr. Salazar-Collier expressed her enthusiasm in launching a project aimed at addressing the community's mental health resource gap.
"I’m truly excited to begin work on a project that helps address the mental health resource gap in our community," she said, "The need in Webb County is urgent as there is only one psychiatrist for every 34,523 residents, which is the lowest provider availability in the nation."
She added, "I’m grateful to be able to work alongside our incredible community partners and build on the great work they are already doing to support Laredo’s well-being. We also look forward to expanding and improving training opportunities for our students to not only help strengthen the local mental health workforce but also create more exciting career opportunities and experiences for them."
The project will conduct a community mental health awareness assessment with surveys and focus groups to identify suicide risk factors. It will also implement a multi-channel mental health literacy campaign reaching 10,000 residents. It will expand access to free mental health screenings and services while enhancing TAMIU’s public health, psychology, and sociology programs to train future professionals.
The project partners with local organizations including the City of Laredo Public Health department, Mid Rio Grande Border AHEC, SCAN, Border Region, and Gateway Community Health Center while collaborating with local media to enhance outreach efforts.
Project success will be measured through comprehensive data collection and evaluation, tracking increased access to mental health services, improved mental health literacy, and reduced stigma. The ultimate goal is to build a sustainable mental health infrastructure in Laredo, research investigators said.
Future funding will be sought from federal and state grants such as those offered by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and the Health Resources and Services Administration, as well as municipal investments.
For more information, please contact TAMIU's Office of Public Relations, Marketing and Information Services at 956.326.2180, email prmis@tamiu.edu or visit offices located in the Sue and Radcliffe Killam Library, room 268.
Registration for the Fall Semester 2025 at TAMIU is underway now. Visit the Registration Hub for details. Fall classes begin Monday, Aug. 25, 2025. Late registration concludes Friday, Aug. 29.
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