Join the Youth Council on Mental Health

Apply: Youth Council on Mental Health (YCMH)

We want to hear your voice!

Apply to the Youth Council on Mental Health (YCMH)

We want to hear your voice! 

Partners for Children’s Mental Health (PCMH) invites youth between the ages of 13-19 to join our youth advisory board, Youth Council on Mental Health (YCMH).  The YCMH is a youth-led, adult-supported group focused on positively shaping the future of youth mental health in Colorado. The council is made up of youth (ages 13-19) across all regions of Colorado. YCMH members will be asked to advise PCMH and Children’s Hospital Colorado as we plan, develop, and execute initiatives to improve youth mental health in Colorado.  

The YCMH has 3 sub-committees. Each sub-committee is led by two Youth Leaders, 1 Youth Advisor, and supported by one adult-supporter.

Community Action Team (CAT)

  • Focus on youth-led initiatives in Colorado communities to build awareness, reduce stigma, and promote youth wellbeing.

Program Innovation Team (PIT)

  • Focus on informing and collaborating with internal youth mental health advocacy, research, and training initiatives.

Patient Experience Team (PET)

  • Focus on improving the experience of patients seeking and receiving mental health care at Children’s Colorado

The ideal YCMH advisory board member has the following qualities: 

  • Creative
  • Coachable
  • Committed
  • Conscientious
  • Courageous
  • Communicator
  • Collaborative

Youth consultants will be asked to:

  • Participate in a 2, 1.5hr virtual council meetings each month. 
  • Demonstrate a genuine interest in youth mental health
  • Demonstrate a willingness to advocate for all issues related to youth mental health for all youth across the state of Colorado
  • Youth must have access to reliable internet and video conferencing that allows for cameras to be on during the meeting. 

Preferred skills and experience for YCMH advisory board members include, but are not limited to:

  • Lived experience with mental health (personal, family or friend support, or otherwise)
  • Willing to represent a distinct Colorado region; supporting youth across the state of Colorado
  • Committed and driven to support systemic change related to mental health
  • Critical thinking, solution-oriented skills

In addition to work experience, YCMH council members will receive: 

  • $15 per hour
  • Professional development and coaching opportunities 
  • Access to professionals in behavioral health, social work, public health, and beyond
  • Ongoing opportunities to engage with youth across the state of Colorado to create meaningful change in youth mental health

Keep in mind, we are not asking for professionals in the field of mental health. We only want you to use your voice.

Application Timeline

March 1st: Applications open

April 30th: Application deadline. All applications need to be submitted by 11:59pm MT on April 30th.

May 2nd: All applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application by email.

May 12th – 16th: All interviews will be held

May 23rd: All interviewees will be notified of the outcome of their interviews. 

*All members must be available the week of August 4th for onboarding*

About Partners for Children’s Mental Health

Partners for Children’s Mental Health (PCMH) is a center within Children’s Hospital Colorado, supported by the University of Colorado School of Medicine. PCMH is focused on improving the youth mental health system in Colorado. PCMH’s vision is a future where all children and youth have the mental health care and support they need to thrive. 

PCMH wants to transform the way professionals work with youth. Our center creates powerful and impactful trainings to help teachers, doctors, therapists, and other professionals support youth with mental health challenges. 

We are committed to ensuring that youth voices are centered in our work. We believe youth need to be involved in making decisions that directly impact them. Youth input is necessary as we seek to increase access to high-quality mental health services for all Colorado youth, and reduce the number of Colorado youth who die by suicide.

Questions? We’re here to answer them! Send an email to info@pcmh.org.

Apply Today