Unmet mental health needs amongst youth are acute. However, there is a shortage of MH professionals to meet the service needs for all populations. a. Currently, many mental health professions require extensive postsecondary education and credentialing. What if there was a way to mitigate the shortage of mental health professionals, accessibility, and unmet mental health needs of youth? Presenters in this session discuss one mental health support, mobile response as an avenue to create pathways to Mental Health professions for Opportunity Youth. Mobile Response is a 24/7 service that provides a rapid response for individuals and families experiencing crises, traumatic events, or heightened emotional symptoms that have inhibited their ability to function or cope. What opportunities are there to envision new pathways to family sustaining careers in crisis response, mental health, safety and wellness that leverage the lived experience of OY and communities through shorter-term, culturally relevant professional training as an alternative to traditional clinical models?

Registrants planning to attend this session but unfamiliar with Mobile Response can get more context on this first responder model by reviewing this CLASP report or webinar recording.