Colorado launches Youth Mental Health Corps
(COLORADO) — Colorado is joining ten other states to help teenagers access critical mental health resources.
Serve Colorado will work alongside the Schultz Family Foundation, Pinterest, AmeriCorps, the Colorado Behavioral Health Administration, and the Colorado Community College System to recruit, train, and deploy the nation’s first Youth Mental Health Corps.
The new mental health program will address the needs of young people while creating pathways to address the national shortage of mental health professionals. According to the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), approximately 122 million people live in a Mental Health Professional shortage area, where there is a shortage of more than 6,000 practitioners.
Corps members will be trained as navigators serving middle and high school students in school and community-based organizations.
“Colorado’s commitment to the mental well-being of our youth is unwavering,” said Lieutenant Governor Dianne Primavera. “By joining this national initiative, we are not only addressing the urgent need for mental health resources but also creating meaningful pathways for our young adults to pursue careers in this vital field. Together, we will make a tangible difference in the lives of Colorado youth, empowering them to navigate the challenges they face with resilience and hope while addressing shortages in the behavioral health workforce.”
Members of AmeriCorps Youth Mental Health will gain valuable on-the-job experience, receive a stipend, and earn credentials to advance their careers. They will also be eligible to pursue higher education or pay back qualifying student loans.
The DHHS said one in three high school students report persistent feelings of hopelessness. The Colorado Health Access Survey also found that over 16 percent of youth ages 5-17 reported poor mental health in 2023.
The Colorado Youth Mental Health Corps seeks to address the crisis by leveraging the power of national service. Conceived by the Schultz Foundation and Pinterest, the program was developed in consultation with experts and practitioners. Both organizations will provide financial support to participating state service commissions to design, and adapt the initiative to local needs.
“Ensuring that we have a passionate, skilled, and robust workforce is critical to achieving the vision of a future in Colorado where everyone—including our youth—has access to equitable, high-quality behavioral health services,” said Colorado Behavioral Health Administration (BHA) Commissioner Dannette R. Smith. “This innovative collaboration is a fantastic opportunity to not only create a pipeline into the behavioral healthcare workforce but to continue to build and expand our safety net of care for teens and youth. We are grateful to the Schultz Family Foundation, Pinterest, and the Biden Administration for recognizing this need and taking action to address it.”
Those who are interested in applying must be between the ages of 18 through 24 with a high school diploma. They can apply at servecolorado.colorado.gov
In Sept. 2024, hundreds of Corps members will be deployed in Colorado, Michigan, Minnesota, and Texas.
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