Mental and Behavioral Health Career Paths: Resources for Students
As the demand for pediatric behavioral health professionals continues to grow in central Ohio, and across the country, Nationwide Children’s Hospital is dedicated to fostering the next generation of experts who are equipped to meet the needs of children, adolescents and families.
This page provides resources and important information for high school and undergraduate students interested in a career in behavioral health.
Why it Matters
Did you know approximately 1 in 5 children have a mental health condition, but there is a national shortage of providers to care for them?
Our kids need mental health services more than ever.
Here’s why:
- Suicide is the second leading cause of death among young people
- 50% of children will meet the criteria for a mental illness before becoming an adult, not including those who experience difficult life events (such as parental separation/incarceration, bullying, exposure to racism)
- As many as 25% of youth around the world are experiencing clinically elevated depression symptoms
- As many as 20% of youth are experiencing clinically elevated anxiety symptoms
- Nationwide Children’s Hospital has seen 251,000+ behavioral health outpatient visits and 8,000+ visits to the Psychiatric Crisis Department
Behavioral Health Career Paths
With a wide variety of career paths to choose from, you can build a future in pediatric behavioral health that fits your passion and purpose.
The videos below were recorded during Nationwide Children’s “Introduction to Pediatric Behavioral Health Care Careers” course, taught at The Ohio State University.
Career Paths: Board Certified Behavior Analyst
Career Paths: Clinical Counselor
Career Paths: Clinical Therapies
Career Paths: Marriage and Family Therapist
Career Paths: Mental Health Specialist
Career Paths: Nurse Practitioner
Career Paths: Physician Assistant
Career Paths: Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse
Career Paths: Psychiatric Pharmacist
Career Paths: Psychiatrist
Career Paths: Psychologist
Career Paths: Psychometrician
Career Paths: School-Based Careers
Career Paths: Social Worker
Opportunities
If you’re a high school or undergraduate student interested in pursuing a career in pediatric behavioral health, Nationwide Children’s offers opportunities to learn more and gain real-world experience through internships, informational interviews, courses and on-site shadowing with our hospital experts.
Complete the form below and someone from our team will be in touch to connect you with an opportunity that fits your career interests and education level.
Other Opportunities:
Introduction to Pediatric Behavioral Health Care Careers Course
- A virtual course at The Ohio State University for undergraduates interested in pursuing a career in pediatric behavioral health.
- Students learn directly from Nationwide Children’s experts from a variety of disciplines.
- Those who participate will also be eligible for an independent study experience that allows them to spend a semester on-site shadowing and assisting Nationwide Children’s behavioral health staff.
You must be enrolled at The Ohio State University as a student or an extended student to take this course.
For more information, contact Brittany.Schaffner@NationwideChildrens.org.
Behavioral Health Bachelor of Science in Social Work (BSSW) Internship Program
- A year-long placement with the goal of preparing interns for generalist social work practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities.
- Our training program offers a variety of specialty placements within Big Lots Behavioral Health Services, ranging from acute psychiatric assessment and intervention to ongoing therapy in both outpatient and community-based settings. Placements are dependent upon availability at the time of application.
This program does not guarantee job placement upon completion.
For more information, contact Sabrina.Long@NationwideChildrens.org.
Leading the Way
Nationwide Children’s Hospital is recognized as one of the top institutions in the country for pediatric behavioral health services. The mental and behavioral health department is the largest of any pediatric hospital in the US, with more than 1,000 employees, new state-of-the-art facilities for inpatient and outpatient care, and cutting-edge clinical research.
To learn more about our leadership in the field, check out these resources below:
Learn More
If you're interested in learning more about a career in pediatric behavioral health, please complete the form below. Someone from our team will be in touch with more information.
