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Want to apply to the Youth Mental Health Corps? Share your information and interests to find the best Youth Mental Health Corps programs for you.

You must be between 18 and 29 years old to apply to a Youth Mental Health Corps Program
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The Youth Mental Health Corps is a collaborative initiative that will support youth mental health in schools and communities while giving over 500 young adults on-ramps into behavioral health careers.

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The State of Youth Mental Health

In 2021, U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy released the Surgeon General's Advisory on Protecting Youth Mental Health, calling for a swift and comprehensive response to the youth mental health crisis.

62%
increase in suicide

rates in the last 15 years in the U.S. for youth between 10-24.

2nd
leading cause of death

among children ages 10-14 is suicide.

1 in 3
high school students

and half of female students report persistent feelings of hopelessness.

122
million Americans

living in communities lack adequate mental health services.

Join the Youth Mental Health Corps as a Partner or Sponsor

Opportunities for partnership include:

The Opportunity: Serve as a Youth Mental Health Corps Member

Youth Mental Health Corps members will have the opportunity to:

Harness their passion, skills and commitment to meaningfully impact the wellbeing of students in schools and communities.

Help young people navigate mental health, emotional wellbeing and other intersecting issues.

Connect youth to needed mental health supports and resources in close collaboration with practitioners and community partners.

Earn credentials during their year of service to continue onto a behavioral health career path.

The Member Experience

Youth Mental Health Corps Members will have the option to serve in schools, community based organizations, and community health clinics on 1-2 year projects while earning a living stipend and other support.

May–June 2024

Learn all about the Youth Mental Health Corps

May–August 2024

Apply to the Youth Mental Health Corps; decide on a credential pathway to pursue

July–August 2024

Join the Youth Mental Health Corps; access career guidance and exploration; receive specialized training to prepare you for your service

September 2024

Serve in the Youth Mental Health Corps; enroll in a formal training program

May–August 2025

Complete your service and earn a credential and/or college credits

Your Future

Enroll/continue college program to earn a degree; Secure a job in the behavioral health field

State Participants

Colorado

Members will provide youth mental health support and increase workforce opportunities in the behavioral space for young adults with lived experience through its school-based and community health worker pathways.

Michigan

Members will serve in schools and communities to positively impact youth and gain experience in mental health navigation as they prepare for a career in behavioral health.

Minnesota

Members can explore career pathways into behavioral health, all while serving in schools and community organizations to boost Minnesota's youth mental health strategy.

Texas

Members will serve with a Communities In Schools school-based program by offering case management through weekly one-on-one or small group sessions to economically disadvantaged students.

*Coming Soon

California

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*Coming Soon

Iowa

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*Coming Soon

Maryland

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*Coming Soon

New Jersey

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*Coming Soon

New York

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*Coming Soon

Virginia

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Planning for Fall 2025 Launch:
California
Iowa
Maryland
New Jersey
New York
Utah
Virginia

Why We're Here

The Youth Mental Health Corps is a unified, multi-sector partnership designed to address the youth mental health crisis and the mental health workforce shortage in the United States. The Youth Mental Health Corps will consist of mental health navigators who are trusted young adults serving in select schools and communities. Its goals are to:

01

Meet youth where help is most acutely needed: schools, afterschool programs, community health centers, and youth centered organizations.

02

Offer young people interested in addressing our nation’s youth mental health crisis with an opportunity to provide peer support while obtaining quality training, skills, experiences, and credentials to start a career in behavioral health.

03

Increase the capacity of schools, community-based organizations, community health clinics, and behavioral health organizations to respond to the growing youth mental health crisis and provide support for the most vulnerable youth.

04

Share best practices on healthy social media use, digital safety and wellbeing and online safety with youth, school and community-based organizational staff, parents/care providers, and community members.

"Far too many young people are struggling with their mental health and unable to get the support they need. We all have a role to play in supporting youth mental health and creating a world where young people thrive."

–U.S Surgeon General Vivek Murthy

Interested in Appying?

Join the Youth Mental Health Corps

Want to make a difference in youth mental health? Ignite change and start your career as a Youth Mental Health Corps member.

Become a Community or State Partner

Learn more about how to become a partner to bring the Youth Mental Health to your community or to sponsor a state-wide Youth Mental Health Corps.

Press Inquiries

For press inquiries, please contact us directly and we'd be happy to assist you.