Building Pathways to Success by Fostering Well-Being in Schools and Strengthening Colorado’s Behavioral Health Workforce

Mental health plays a crucial role in the overall well-being of students. It impacts everything from how they interact with others and their self-confidence, to their success in school. To support student mental health and school engagement, Colorado Youth for a Change, in partnership with the Youth Mental Health Corps, provides the Corps for a Change program to schools throughout the Denver Metro area.  I recently had the opportunity to see firsthand how AmeriCorps members and students work together to build pathways to success, both in school and beyond. 

During my visit, I observed a meeting where a student shared their struggle with motivation and attendance dating back to middle school, but this year, something changed. With guidance and support from their Corps for a Change member, the student shifted from chronic absences to developing a clear, long-term plan for success—both in high school and beyond. Before we dive into the details of this student’s story, let’s explore why this program is so crucial to students’ futures. 

Colorado Youth for a Change recently surveyed students about the factors that keep them from attending school or class, and mental health emerged as a consistent barrier. With one in three Colorado youth reporting feelings of sadness or hopelessness for two or more weeks, according to the Colorado Youth Risk Behavior Survey, addressing youth mental health is essential to academic success. Through the Corps for a Change program and in collaboration with the National Youth Mental Health Corps and Serve Colorado, CYC supports students across the Denver Metro Region as they navigate school and mental health challenges, empowering them to excel both academically and emotionally. 

This school year, Colorado Youth for a Change has placed 32 Corps for a Change members at 26 middle and high schools, providing support to 678 students. Members meet with students weekly, offering one-on-one guidance as trusted adults. Research shows that having a trusted adult in a young person’s life leads to improved mental health by fostering a sense of stability and support. Additionally, the presence of a trusted adult has been linked to increased motivation to succeed in school and extracurricular activities, as well as better long-term employment prospects. (Cite NAMI Be a Trusted Adult for Young People in Your Life | NAMI) 

The value of Corps for a Change members as trusted adults is clear. As one 5280 High School student shared, their member is “a trusted adult I can turn to, to share both my challenges and successes. I’ve been given another adult I feel comfortable talking to.” 

Good mental health, along with access to housing and food, is a key factor in a student’s ability to succeed academically and is crucial to their likelihood of graduating. Corps for a Change members play an essential role in addressing these challenges by offering vital mental health resources while they support students’ academic journeys. One such resource members often share is access to therapy through I Matter. 

A Global Leadership Academy student shared, “There was one time I was feeling really down about everything going on in my home life. [My Corps for a Change member] offered me I Matter therapy sessions if I needed an outside perspective. Not only did that help, but it made me see things…differently and helped me realize that there are others out there who are willing to help me.” 

The benefits of the program extend beyond the students it supports; it also offers Corps for a Change members—near peers, or young adults aged 18 to 24—pathways to careers in Behavioral Health, a field experiencing an extreme shortage of providers. Through CYC’s partnership with the Community College of Aurora, members earn a Behavioral Health Credential upon completion of their service term. The certification not only enhances their skills but also provides training in mental health support, along with college credits. Members are empowered to make a lasting impact on students’ lives while advancing their own career development with a clear path into the behavioral health field. As one Corps for a Change member shared: “I’ve always had an interest in mental health, and I’m planning to stay at Community College of Aurora after our credential courses end.” 

Without the crucial support systems provided by Corps for a Change members, many students would be at risk of not completing their education. Take, for example, the student I met at Aurora Central. Since beginning their work with a Corps for a Change member, they’ve developed a clear plan for graduation and beyond. They’re attending classes regularly and have caught up on the credits they missed during their freshman year. Next year, they plan to take college-level courses and are working with school administrators to start a sports team at high school. Most importantly, they’re confident and excited about their future! 

With Colorado’s behavioral health workforce projected to face a 30% shortage by 2030, empowering Corps for a Change members to earn behavioral health credentials offers a proactive solution to this growing gap. Members like the one I shadowed, who are dedicated to pursuing careers in mental health, are crucial to addressing both current and future needs. The Corps for a Change program not only provides vital support to students across Metro Denver today but also ensures the long-term sustainability of Colorado’s behavioral health workforce—it’s a true win-win. A heartfelt thank you goes out to all Corps for a Change members for their unwavering dedication and commitment to helping the students they work with not only succeed but thrive!