New Mexico awarded Youth Mental Health Corps planning grant
New Mexico will train and place young adults as near-peer health navigators in schools and community organizations statewide, building a pipeline of behavioral health workers, under a new $100,000 planning grant announced today.
The Schultz Family Foundation and Pinterest awarded the grant to the Serve New Mexico Commission under the New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions (NMDWS) for the state service program New MexiCorps. The funding will support design and launch of a Youth Mental Health Corps.
New Mexico is one of 11 states to receive the grant, with a target launch date of the 2027-2028 school year.
“Every young New Mexican deserves someone they can turn to, and every young New Mexican who wants to build a career in behavioral health deserves a straight path to get there. The Youth Mental Health Corps delivers both, and we're proud to be part of it," said Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham.
The Youth Mental Health Corps model combines national service with workforce development, allowing young adults (ages 18-24) to gain training, certifications, hands-on experiences, and explore career pathways in mental health fields while supporting peers and communities facing growing mental health challenges.
“Through the Youth Mental Health Corps, we are investing in both our future workforce and the wellbeing of our communities,” said NMDWS Cabinet Secretary Sarita Nair. “Youth Mental Health Corps creates a streamlined pathway for young adults to serve their communities while earning recognized credentials and gaining hands-on experience that can launch meaningful careers in behavioral health. By removing barriers to entering this field, we are caring for our greatest asset in New Mexico – our people.”
During the planning phase, New MexiCorps will conduct community outreach, develop partnerships, design programs, and identify certification and training pathways for Corps members. New MexiCorps expects the initiative to work in the schools but will also explore partnerships with Office of Housing and Office of New Americans that would work with organizations that assist at-risk populations such as those who are experiencing housing insecurity or are in mixed residency status homes.
The Youth Mental Health Corps initiative builds on New Mexico’s continued investments in behavioral health, workforce development, and community-based service opportunities.
To learn more, visit youthmentalhealthcorps.org. For more information about the Serve New Mexico Commission, visit www.dws.state.nm.us/ServeNM.