Transforming how we prepare mental health and substance use professionals to serve communities nationwide.

As waitlists grow longer and clinician burnout rates continue to rise, our behavioral health system sits at a crossroads.

Embracing Innovation and Connection

This isn’t just a challenge — it’s an invitation to innovate. The National Council for Mental Wellbeing is stepping up to the challenge, creating accessible, effective educational pathways to behavioral health careers. Our Mental Wellbeing Academic-Practice Alliance brings together key partners from across the workforce continuum to achieve this goal by:

• Reimagining the behavioral health workforce continuum, creating and improving pathways to education and employment.
• Improving workforce skills, connecting educational programs and clinical workplaces, and creating consistent, high-quality standards.
• Establishing more varied funding sources for sustainable behavioral health education and workforce initiatives through advocacy and strategic partnerships.

Building a Better Future Together

The Mental Wellbeing Academic-Practice Alliance creates a collaborative ecosystem where everyone not only contributes but thrives. By combining the educational excellence of academic partners with the real-world expertise of National Council members, we’re creating pathways that benefit everyone involved.

Academic programs offer discounted education to current and future mental health and substance use workers while increasing enrollments and creating better programs.

Provider organizations enhance recruitment and professional development channels to get better-trained staff at lower training costs and help shape what students learn so they are real-world ready.

Communities across the U.S. gain access to qualified professionals who are ready to meet growing needs.

Your Role in the Alliance

Schools, organizations and professionals all bring something valuable to the table and get meaningful benefits in return. By joining this collaborative effort, you become part of a transformational solution to our nation’s behavioral health workforce challenges, ultimately enhancing access to care for those who need it most.

Get Involved!

Participation in the alliance leverages your existing strengths while connecting you to resources that address your specific needs. Together, we’re not just responding to a workforce crisis — we’re building a stronger foundation for behavioral health care across the U.S. Submit an interest form to learn more about joining this transformative network of changemakers.