New York Youth Mental Health Corps
New York State faces an urgent youth mental health crisis. New York Youth Mental Health Corps (NY YMHC) members have the opportunity to make a positive impact on the mental health and wellbeing of youth and young adults while exploring a career in behavioral health.
Partners
NYS Office of Mental Health, Department of Labor’s Deputy Commissioner for Workforce Development, SUNY Empire State University, New York State Office of Children and Family Services, Office of Mental Health and Families Together in New York State
Program start date
Fall 2025
Career Pathways Available
Peer support/recovery navigator
Program Description
The New York Youth Mental Health Corps will build a service-to-career pathway for young adults who provide peer-to-peer mental health support in various settings through the Youth Peer Advocate (YPA) credential program.
The New York Youth Mental Health Corps aims to increase the number of credentialed YPAs, while creating sustainable career pathways in behavioral health for individuals with lived experience.
Peer support/recovery navigator pathway:
- Members will provide peer support services in community settings to youth experiencing social, medical, emotional, developmental, substance use and behavioral health challenges.
- Drawing on their lived experiences, members will serve as mentors and facilitate meaningful connection with youth.
- NY YMHC members will begin their experience with intensive YPA credential training, supplemented by specialized youth mental health training.
- The NY YMHC program will embrace both traditional in-person services and modern virtual/telehealth approaches. Members will provide guidance on effectively utilising technology for mental health support.
Heading 1
Member Activities
In the peer support/recovery navigator pathway, YMHC members will:
- Support youth engagement in treatment planning.
- Implement and reinforce skills.
- Provide culturally and linguistically competent services.
- Use trauma-informed care approaches.
- Structure activities to develop self-advocacy skills.
- Provide support to young adults transitioning into adulthood.
- Lead support groups, creating safe spaces for youth to share experiences and build resilience.
- Provide personalized interventions, help with goal setting, and conduct regular follow-ups.
- Implement behavioral activation strategies, working with youth to set behavioral goals and monitor progress.
- Use motivational interviewing techniques.
- Support conflict resolution and help youth communicate their needs.
- Employ evidence-based practices, participate in data analysis, and engage in ongoing training and development.
Heading 1
Member Training and Support
New York Youth Mental Health Corps AmeriCorps members will receive trainings within a school-based mental health navigator framework, including:
- Earn the YPA credential opening opportunities to gain the YPA Provisional Credential (YPA-P) and YPA Professional Credential (YPA-C)
- Translate YPA-C credentials into 12 college credits if members pursue a behavioral health degree at any SUNY affiliated school
- Specialized youth mental health training
- Training in social media navigation and digital wellness strategies
Essential qualifications to participate in the New York Youth Mental Health Corps include:
Must be 18 - 29 years old at the 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
Completion of the YPA provisional credential through online modules and progress to the full YPA credential through supervised work experience
Member Benefits
As a member, you'll get:
Living allowance
Segal AmeriCorps Education Award
Member Assistance Program (MAP), providing mental health resources and counseling services.
Emergency Assistance Fund offering up to $500 for individual AmeriCorps members experiencing an emergency to address unexpected financial challenges that would otherwise disrupt their service.
Educational credit for prior learning at SUNY Empire State University and the SUNY system.
Ongoing career coaching, networking opportunities, and support with post-service job placement.
Invitation to attend the Commission’s annual service summit to celebrate AmeriCorps programs and members.
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.
Resources for Mental Health
New York 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.