Oregon Youth Mental Health Corps
Oregon’s Youth Mental Health Corps (YMHC) members will serve in schools and communities to support youth mental health and grow a diverse behavioral health workforce, addressing statewide provider shortages and care access gaps, especially in rural areas.
Regions
Portland Metro, Willamette Valley
Program start date
Fall 2025
Career Pathways Available
School Mental Health Navigator, Community Mental Health Navigator
Program Description
Oregon’s YMHC members will provide youth mental health support and increase workforce opportunities in the behavioral health space for young adults.
Members will serve in K-12 schools and community organizations in support of the state’s behavioral health strategy, helping build a continuum of care for all Oregonians and increase and diversify the state’s behavioral health workforce.
Two pathways will be available for YMHC members in Oregon:
School-based mental health navigator pathway:
- Build capacity to support middle and high school students in schools, out of school time programs, and youth-serving community organizations
Community health navigator pathway:
- Build capacity to support middle and high school youth in community-based organizations, community health clinics, and nonprofits in communities with limited access to mental health services.
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Member Activities
- Supportive guidance and counseling
- Health and human services
- Parent and family engagement
- College and career readiness
- Enrichment
- Academic support
Member Training and Support
All members will participate in professional development, coaching, and wraparound support throughout their 11-month term.
Members taking the school-based mental health navigator pathway will have the opportunity enroll in Portland Community College’s 7 credit Foundations in Behavioral Health microcredential. Courses include:
- Mental Health First Aid
- Asist suicide prevention
- Trauma informed care
- First Aid and CPR
YMHC members following the community health navigator pathway will:
- Complete the required training curriculum to receive certification as a community health worker from the Oregon Health Authority
- Complete the Oral Health for Community Health Worker Training Program
Essential qualifications to participate in the Oregon Youth Mental Health Corps include:
Must be 18 - 24 years old at start of service
Must have a High School Diploma or GED equivalent
Must be a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or Lawful Permanent Resident
Interest in behavioral health, psychology, social work, human services, or related fields
Member Benefits
As a member, you'll get:
Living allowance
Segal AmeriCorps Education Award
Professional certifications and/or college credit
Opportunities to network with other Youth Mental Health Corps members
Personalized career coaching and skill development (e.g., communication, resume writing, interviewing)
Supervised experience in behavioral health service
Housing stipend
Join the Youth Mental Health Corps
To learn more about the Oregon Youth Mental Health Corps and how to apply, visit OregonServes’ website.
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.
Resources for Mental Health
Oregon Youth Mental Health Corps is committed to achieving accessibility of mental health services. While not a substitute for those services, a list of resources has been curated for those in need.
National Resources
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
Crisis Text Line
The Jed Foundation
The Trevor Project
The Trevor Project - Gaming Industry Lifeline
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
MentalHealth.gov
A.S.K.