Become a Health Hero:
Join the Youth Mental Health Corps
Wanna make a difference in youth mental health? We do too. Ignite change and start your career.
Why the Youth Mental Health Corps?
We're not just dreaming of better mental health for youth, we're actually building it. The Youth Mental Health Corps gives you the opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of youth, gain valuable skills to support your and your peers' mental health, explore careers in the mental health field, and earn work experience and credentials to launch your career.
We are launching in four states in Fall 2024, with many more states planned in 2025.
Here’s what you’ll get to do
We're building a powerful community of young adults empowered to support each other's mental well-being.
Become a Peer Supporter
You'll be trained and supported to provide essential social-emotional support to youth in schools, community organizations, and clinics, making a real difference in the lives of youth and young adults.
Create Positive Change in Communities
In the Youth Mental Health Corps, you'll be part of a community of young people increasing access to mental health resources for youth across the country.
Explore a Career in Mental Health
Interested in entering the mental health field but don't know where to start? Get a chance to learn more about the field.
Earn a Credential or College Credits
Gain the credentials that will serve as a gateway into a rewarding career in mental health.
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 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 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.
California
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Iowa
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Maryland
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New Jersey
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New York
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Virginia
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About the Youth Mental Health Corps
The Youth Mental Health Corps is designed for young people to earn a certification or college credits while supporting the mental health and wellbeing of youth. Members will have the opportunity to pursue one of three pathways:
- School-based mental health navigator:
Members (ages 18 - 24) will earn stackable credentials and/or credits toward a higher education program as they serve in schools, out-of-school-time programs, and community-based youth organizations in communities with limited access to mental health services. - Peer support/recovery navigator:
Members (ages 18 - 29) who have lived experience with mental health challenges and/or substance use disorder will support peers and near-peers along their recovery journey while getting the training and experience required to earn a peer support/recovery specialist state certification. - Community mental health navigator:
Members (ages 18 - 24) without lived experience will have the opportunity to serve youth and young adults in communities where access to mental health resources is limited, all while receiving the training, support, and experience to earn a community health worker state certification.
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Origin Story
The Youth Mental Health Corps, conceived by the Schultz Family Foundation and Pinterest, has been developed in consultation with hundreds of experts and practitioners. Launching in partnership with AmeriCorps, America Forward and state service commissions, the Corps will utilize the power of national service as a bridge to career pathways to simultaneously address the youth mental health crisis and empower young adults with promising and meaningful careers.
