INTERNSHIP DETAILS

Mental Health Intern

CompanyMetropolitan YMCA of the Oranges Inc
LocationLivingston
Work ModeOn Site
PostedMarch 31, 2026
Internship Information
Core Responsibilities
The intern will support staff training, youth development, and community research related to Mental Health under the direction of the Mental Health Director. Key duties include promoting mental health awareness, conducting community research, leading social-emotional learning activities with youth, and assisting with team member trainings.
Internship Type
full time
Company Size
186
Visa Sponsorship
No
Language
English
Working Hours
40 hours
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About The Company
We're an inclusive organization of men, women and children joined together by a shared commitment to nurturing the potential of kids, promoting healthy living and fostering a sense of social responsibility. We know that lasting personal and social change comes about when we all work together. That’s why, at the Y, strengthening community is our cause. Every day, we work side-by-side with our neighbors to make sure that everyone, regardless of age, income or background, has the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive. We have 5 facilities throughout Northern New Jersey: East Orange YMCA South Mountain YMCA Sussex County YMCA West Essex YMCA New Milford YMCA Program Center/Greater Bergen County YMCA And 2 Sleep-away camps: Fairview Lake YMCA Camps in Stillwater, NJ Lake in the Woods in Blairstown, NJ Camp Michikamau in Southfields, NY In addition, we operate 3 Early Learning Child Care Centers: East Orange YMCA, West Essex YMCA Peanut Shell, and South Mountain YMCA. Established in 1885, the Metropolitan YMCA of the Oranges in New Jersey, serves more than 55,000 individuals, including 35,000+ members, and provides nearly $2.8 million in direct and indirect financial assistance yearly.
About the Role

Description

  We are an all - inclusive organization joined together by a shared commitment to nurturing the potential of kids, promoting healthy living and fostering a sense of social responsibility. As a growing, mission focused, and future-oriented association of YMCAs, the Metro YMCA of the Oranges has an exciting opportunity for a highly motivated, mission-driven, candidate to join our team.  Under the direction of the Mental Health Director, the Mental Health Intern will support a cause-centered culture that is welcoming, genuine, optimistic, nurturing, and determined while also supporting staff training, youth development and community research regarding Mental Health.  The Mental Health Intern will collaborate with team leaders across the Association to help
maximize opportunities for growth in this area of focus.
 

Requirements

Essential Functions:


  • Promote awareness of mental health issues and services for program participants,
    parents/caregivers, and the public at large.
  •  Conduct community research on mental health trends and provider resources/availability.
  •  Lead social-emotional learning and mindfulness activities with youth attending summer
    camps across the Association of branches.
  • Assist with team member trainings.
  •  Assist in the research and development of website and/or blog content related to mental
    health topics in areas such as:
  • Trauma-responsive service delivery
  • How to identify signs/indications that youth participants may need mental health
    and/or substance abuse services
  • Suicide awareness and prevention
    De-Escalation Strategies
  •  Interventions for Challenging Behavior
  •  Other topics based on assessment of training needs
  •  Other duties as assigned.
     

Qualifications:

  •  Intern should be current student enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate degree
    program, preferably one focused on mental health, psychology, and/or counseling.
  •  Passion for the YMCA mission.
  • Relevant current coursework and/or prior internship experience preferred.
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, and Zoom.
  •  Experience in working collaboratively with volunteers and staff.
  • Strong writing, organizational, presentation and communication skills.
  • Ability to take initiative and demonstrate out of the box thinking.
  • Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of
    managers, volunteers, members, senior leaders, and the public.
  • Understanding of and enthusiasm for the mission of the YMCA. Motivated while working
    in a fast-paced environment.
  • Ability to work with integrity, discretion, and a professional approach.
  • Must have reliable transportation, as there is some travel between branches within the
    Metro YMCA of the Oranges territory. 

Metro Y Internship Program Information:

  •  The 2026 Summer Internship Program runs from June to August. However, this schedule
    is flexible based on college schedules.
  • Intern must be able to work week day hours as well as limited evenings and weekends.
  •   Metro YMCA of the Oranges is based in Livingston, New Jersey. This internship is a mix of remote and in-person assignments. Intern will have the option of working at various branch locations with the Association including , New Milford, Livingston, Hardyston, Newton, East Orange and Maplewood. 
  •  This is not a paid internship. However, credit can be given when necessary and federal
    work-study students are welcome to apply.
  • All interns will be given will be given the opportunity to use the skills they have learned
    throughout the session to put together an individual presentation and work on
    collaborative group projects. The presentation and group project topics will focus on ways
    to improve processes, products, designs, and programs.
     
     
Key Skills
Staff TrainingYouth DevelopmentCommunity ResearchSocial-Emotional LearningMindfulnessWebsite Content DevelopmentBlog Content DevelopmentTrauma-Responsive Service DeliverySuicide AwarenessPreventionDe-Escalation StrategiesChallenging Behavior InterventionsMicrosoft Office SuiteZoomOrganizational SkillsPresentation Skills
Categories
Social ServicesEducationHealthcareAdministrative