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NAMI WESTSIDE LOS ANGELES
- Contact: Erin Ryan
- E-mail: eryan@namila.org
- Address: 921 Westwood Blvd Suite 236 LA, CA 90024
- Phone: (310) 889-7200
- Website: www.namiwla.org
- Location Type: Hybrid
- Hourly Commitment Per Week: This internship will last between 3 and 6 months, depending on course length and requirements. On a weekly basis, interns will be expected to work up to 15 hours per week (includes occasional weekend events). As students, we understand and respect that your availability will be subject to change based on class schedule, exams, extracurriculars, personal circumstances, etc. However, interns will be responsible for completing a minimum of 10 hours and a maximum of 15 hours per week. Please plan accordingly.
Description of Organization and Population Served
NAMI Westside Los Angeles (NAMI WLA) is dedicated to improving the quality of life for individuals and families affected by mental health conditions through free education, support, advocacy, and early intervention. As part of the nation's largest grassroots mental health organization, we work to build mentally healthy communities by reducing stigma, increasing access to resources, and empowering people of all ages, especially children and youth to thrive.
Description of Intern's Responsibilities
Description
As a Mental Health Advocacy Intern for NAMI WLA, you play a key role in supporting our mission to improve the lives of those affected by mental health conditions. This internship offers hands-on experience in various areas, including administrative support, outreach initiatives, mental health presentations, and community programs. You will gain valuable skills and training, preparing you for future professional roles and equipping you to be a mental health advocate in your community. Additionally, you may have the option to earn class credit, subject to individual student and departmental criteria.
Key Responsibilities
Community Outreach Initiatives: Participate in outreach activities to raise awareness about mental health issues and NAMI WLA's services.
Mental Health Presentations for Schools: Support the planning, facilitation, and development of mental health presentations to various audiences.
Community Programs: Help organize and implement school and community-based mental health programs, and participate in programs such as tabling at community events.
Warmline Support: Provide assistance for NAMI WLA's warmline, offering support and information to callers.
Event Participation: Attend and support in-person and virtual meetings, training, and events as required.
Special Qualifications
Internship Format
This internship will take place in a hybrid setting. The bulk of the workload (60%) will be conducted online through Zoom in the form of meetings, email, collaboration on Google Workspace, etc. Some of the workload (40%) will come from in-person events, office work, etc.
1:1 Check-Ins
Interns will meet with their supervisor on a bi-weekly basis to check-in and discuss progress, set goals and give/receive feedback. The primary purpose of these check-ins is to provide a safe space to discuss anything such as personal/organizational wins, areas of improvement, feedback, etc.
Code of Conduct & Professionalism
Here at NAMI WLA, we have designed our internship program to prepare young professionals for the workforce. We encourage our interns to treat this opportunity as a job and kindly request that you practice punctuality, teamwork, communication, work ethic and integrity. We hope that this opportunity will be valuable to your growth as an individual and a professional and ask that you adhere to our values of Respect, Support and Advocacy for our community at all times.
How This Relates to Psychology
A Psychology internship with NAMI Westside Los Angeles provides students with hands-on experience applying concepts from psychology within a community-based mental health organization. Interns gain exposure to mental health education, prevention and early intervention, stigma reduction, peer and family support, resource navigation, and advocacy.
Working alongside NAMI WLA staff and community partners, interns may support programs serving youth, adults, families, and individuals impacted by mental health conditions. Opportunities may include assisting with outreach and educational programming, researching mental health topics and resources, supporting youth initiatives and NAMI signature programs, collecting and evaluating program data, and helping connect community members with appropriate resources.
Through NAMI WLA's clinical-adjacent work and partnerships with organizations such as UCLA, interns also gain insight into how community-based mental health services complement clinical care and help individuals and families navigate the continuum of support.
This internship is especially relevant for students interested in psychology, behavioral health, social work, public health, counseling, education, research, or nonprofit/community mental health and provides meaningful experience for those considering graduate study or careers in the mental health field.
Important note: NAMI WLA is a community-based mental health education, support, and advocacy organization. Interns do not provide psychotherapy, diagnosis, or other clinical treatment.