For Worcester High School seniors Juanbi Fatke and Yariel Lopez, the University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School’s 2024 Dynamic Futures program has sparked their interest in behavioral health-related careers and the importance of addressing mental health issues in the community.
Fatke and Lopez are among 25 Worcester high school students and graduating seniors taking part in the Dynamic Futures program, a year-long initiative that includes classes, field trips and team-building exercises that began as an intensive four-week program this summer.
The program, now in its third year at the University of Massachusetts Chan, aims to introduce students to the behavioral health field as part of an effort to diversify the behavioral health workforce and improve behavioral health outcomes in the community.
Fatke, a junior at Worcester Polytechnic High School, said the program has inspired her to consider a career in medicine, with a particular interest in the field of psychiatry.
“What I learned from this program is that mental health is something we need to keep talking about. We need more programs and people that are trying to move the conversation about mental health forward,” Fatke said.
A new component of the Dynamic Futures program is the National Council on Mental Wellbeing's Mental Health First Aid program for teens, which equips students with the knowledge and skills to help their peers in crisis. Students will earn a certificate upon completion of the course.
Additionally, a research seminar was added: Dr. Katherine Sabella, assistant professor of psychiatry at the University of Massachusetts Chan and director of the Implementation Science and Practice Advanced Research Center (iSPARC) at the Center for Adult Transition Research, discussed research as a career path, including learning about the research process and research ethics.
Wooster High School seniors Funbi Fatke and Yariel Lopez are among 25 students participating in this year's Dynamic Futures program.
“We talk a lot about clinical careers in behavioral health, but we wanted to broaden the perspective of career options in this field and bring research in as well. We want students who don't think direct care service is for them to know there's a lot there to explore,” said Katie Stickney, project manager for community and government relations at UMass Chan and program administrator for Dynamic Futures.
Students also toured UMass Chan’s Interprofessional Center for Experiential Learning and Simulation (iCELS). In total, more than 50 speakers presented to students during lectures and panel discussions.
Lopez, a Burncoat High School senior who is interested in pursuing a career in forensic psychology, said listening to the speakers has opened her eyes to the needs of families and neighbors.
“The program helped me understand what resources are available in Worcester and made me more aware of the issues facing those around me.”
– Yariel Lopez, Burncoat High School Senior
“Coming from a diverse community and having never worked in the mental health field before, this program has helped me understand the resources available in Worcester and has also made me more aware of the issues those around me may be experiencing,” Lopez said.
The students toured the Worcester County Jail and Correctional Facility, the Worcester Veterans Center, a field camp at O'Reed Castle Park in Worcester, Clark University, had lunch at Cafe Reyes on Shrewsbury Street, visited AIDS Project Worcester and attended a Worcester Red Sox game at Polar Park.
The students also participated in internships with several organizations, including Seven Hills Foundation, Open Sky Community Services and El Buen Samaritano Food Program.
The students stayed in Worcester State University residence halls.
Applications for next summer's Dynamic Futures program will open in November. To apply, students must be between 16 and 18 years old and enrolled in or have graduated from a Worcester high school.
