Mental Health Training Program

Mental Health Training Opportunities - No Experience Required.  

Workforce Solutions, Training, and Teamwork (STAT) Mental Health training opportunities features a series of free, educational training and support services for those ages 18 and older. The goal of the program is to meet industry needs by rapidly transforming a group of unemployed and underemployed entry-level Rhode Islanders into prepared, well-qualified mental health professionals. 

Program graduates are expected to secure employment at Lifespan for at least one year following program completion. Employment at Lifespan may allow you opportunities to advance over time to higher levels of education and employment in the high-demand healthcare industry.

Please attend a virtual info session to learn more about our mental health trainings. No experience is necessary.

Our January cohort has started. Please check back for updates about our spring class.

More About Our Mental Health Training Programs

Each cohort of students completes a free, five-week program consisting of:

• Practical work experience through an internship with local hospital partners.
• Mental Health competency skill training in the classroom.
• Structured work-readiness training and workshops to build employability skills.
• The possibility of employment upon successful completion of the program.

Students who successfully complete the programs will have the following certifications: AHA Basic Life Support Healthcare Provider, AHA First Aid, Safety-Care Behavioral Safety Training, and Mental Health First Aid.

Mental Health Training Cohorts

We are offering 2 mental health trainings:

Gateway Healthcare Residential Case Worker- Working with adults at Lifespan’s Gateway Healthcare providing outstanding treatment, intervention and prevention services to adults with behavioral and substance abuse issues.

Bradley Hospital Behavioral Health Specialist-Working with children at Lifespan’s Bradley Hospital providing expert family-focused care to children and adolescents with psychological, developmental and behavioral problems through a wide range of inpatient, outpatient, and partial hospital programs.

Each cohort of students completes a free, five-week program consisting of:

• Practical work experience through an internship with local hospital partners.
• Mental Health competency skill training in the classroom.
• Structured work-readiness training and workshops to build employability skills.
• The possibility of employment upon successful completion of the program.

Students who successfully complete the programs will have the following certifications: AHA Basic Life Support Healthcare Provider, AHA First Aid, Safety-Care Behavioral Safety Training, and Mental Health First Aid.

Job Responsibilities

The program will train students to:

• Engage patients in therapeutic activities designed to meet treatment plan goals.
• Run therapeutic social groups within the milieu to foster growth in the patient population.
• Collaborate with members of the treatment team to identify patient needs and strengths and develop appropriate treatment interventions.
• Document patient response to treatment interventions and report back to the treatment team.
• Observe patient peer interactions and support patients in their attempts to navigate the milieu.
• Support patients in personal routines and activities of daily living.
• Help patients work through difficult situations and implement verbal de-escalation skills as needed to maintain patient safety.
• Responsibilities may vary depending on patient population.

Program Completion Requirements       

Students should note that:

• Attendance is mandatory. Students who miss workshops, internship, or class could be subject to dismissal from the program.
• A certificate will be awarded to those candidates who have successfully completed the program.