Applied Mental Health

Internship Program

Real Projects. Real Impact.

Design and implement your own real-world mental health project, with mentorship and support every step of the way.

Did you know that…

75-85%

of people with mental health disorders in low and middle-income countries receive no treatment.

1.8 Million

There is a shortfall of 1.8 million mental health workers globally.

40%

Research shows that trained non-professionals can be trained to reduce depression by up to 40%.

This is not your typical internship

Transform Lives, Gain Global Perspective, and Build Your Own Impact Project—

All from Home.

With the 4C Applied Mental Health Internship Program (AMHIP):

  • You’re in control of what you create. Unlike traditional internships where you perform assigned tasks, here you will design and lead your own initiative with individualized expert support.

  • This isn’t just theory—it’s applied experience within global communities. Instead of just learning about mental health programs, you’ll actually build and implement one with measurable impact.

  • It’s customized to your schedule and interests. Work at your own pace, with on-demand mentorship and support available when you need it.

  • With training, supervision and strategy support, coupled with access to our digital platform and suite of technology tools to engage with your audience, you’ll have everything you need for an end to end experience that feels doable and empowering.

This is your opportunity to take an idea and turn it into a real, impactful initiative—while developing the skills that will set you apart in mental health, social work, community leadership, or nonprofit work.

Program Fees

For just $800/month, participants have:

Hands-On Learning & Mentorship

Get personalized guidance in strategy, clinical content, outreach, and impact measurement. Learn about iteration and innovation in real-time.

Up to 1 Hour/Week of 1:1 Personalized Mentoring and Coaching

  • Mentoring can be done asynchronously or synchronously.

  • Direct access to a global mental health leader and behavioral health innovator.

  • Personalized brainstorming, strategy development, feedback, and troubleshooting.

  • Flexible scheduling—use as much or as little as you need.

  • This is a resume-boosting, career-defining experience.

PLUS:

Professional-Grade Digital Tools

Use (and get trained in) a full suite of design, communication, and project management tools to develop high-quality materials, manage outreach, and track impact—just like professionals.

On-Demand Guides

  • A structured curriculum that guides you step-by-step.

  • Work at your own pace and on your own schedule.

  • Practical, action-oriented training that teaches you how to design, implement, and scale a mental health program.

AND:

Built-In Audience for Your Project

Test, refine, and launch your project within an existing thriving digital community of thousands from 80+ countries actively looking for mental health information and support, allowing you to implement and scale your project effectively.

Exposure to a Global Network

Promote your project and gain instant reach across our audience of 50,000+ individuals in our established social media platforms.

Leverage brand awareness and trust to kickstart your initiative or campaign. This shortcuts the hardest part.

Real Projects, Real Impact

Below are just a few examples of past projects. We give you the tools, provide unlimited support, and the platform to reach your audience. You bring your passion, and desire to make a difference.

LGBTQ Youth in Kenya

Collaborating with a peer in Kenya to create an LGBTQ support group for African youth, offering a safe space for connection and growth.

Stigma-Reduction in Indonesia

Developing a social media stigma-reduction campaign with a peer in Indonesia, reaching thousands to spark awareness and understanding.

Teaching Mindfulness for Anxiety

Co-facilitating a 7-day mindfulness challenge with peers from Bangladesh and Nigeria, empowering participants to build resilience and practice self-care.

Program Overview

  • Duration: Average full program duration is 3-4 months, but this varies by student and project. It is recommended to spend a minimum of 2 weeks at each phase, but students can progress at their own pace based on their goals and interests.

  • Hours per Week: 1-3 hours (flexible, based on personal commitment)

  • Location: 100% Online, On-Demand, Self-Study

  • Start Date: Rolling admissions. Allow 2-4 weeks for application processing.

Program Structure

  • The application process involves an online application, including a short essay. If approved, applicants will be invited to a brief, informal video interview. Accepted applicants can begin Phase 1 within a week of completing enrollment and submitting payment.

  • What You’ll Do:
    Before diving into your community project, you will complete foundational mental health training. (All asynchronous and self-paced.)

    Key Learning Areas:
    ✅ Mental health fundamentals and advocacy principles.
    ✅ Foundational skills: Active listening, empathy, validation, and support.
    ✅ Social justice issues in mental health: Global disparities, systemic barriers, and equity.

    You will also have access to engage in the larger 4C learning community, in discussion forums or drop in groups, to gain exposure to the communities we serve.

  • What You’ll Do:
    Once you’ve completed the foundational training, you will select your impact project and receive tailored training based on your chosen focus area. This ensures you are well-prepared before launching your initiative.

    Cope Components:
    ✅ Choose your impact area: Stigma reduction, content creation, service delivery, or advocacy. ✅Choose your target population, issue, and/or country
    ✅ Complete 1-2 additional hours of training based on your selected pathway
    ✅ Project strategy session: One-on-one meeting to refine your vision and next steps

    Estimated Time Commitment: Varies; typically a total of 5-10 hours (including training, strategy, and planning). Can be done over days or weeks, depending on availability and preference.

  • What You’ll Do:
    With the groundwork complete, you’ll bring your project to life, applying the skills you’ve learned with ongoing mentorship and support. Whether you’re designing an awareness campaign, launching a mental health initiative, or creating digital resources, this phase is entirely customizable to your interests and goals.

    Core Components:
    ✅ Deploy your customized project.
    ✅ Unlimited mentorship and feedback throughout the process
    ✅ Gain hands-on experience delivering services, like running a mindfulness group, or in launching an awareness campaign.
    ✅ Track: Gain guidance and support in methodologies for tracking engagement and impact, as well as strategies for iterative improvements to optimize outcomes—critical skills for program evaluation, data-driven decision-making, and sustainable mental health initiatives.

    Estimated Time Commitment:
    🔹 1-10+ hours per week, depending on project size and personal availability
    🔹 You choose your timeline – whether you want a short-term initiative or a long-term impact project

We know choosing the right internship is an important decision! Whether you're a student exploring career-building opportunities or a parent wanting to ensure this is the right fit, we’re here to help.

Book a free 15-minute call with our program director to:
✅ Get a detailed overview of the program structure and benefits
✅ Understand how the internship aligns with career or academic goals
✅ Ask any questions about eligibility, workload, or outcomes
✅ Learn how this hands-on experience can give a competitive edge

Schedule your free informational meeting today! Spots are limited.

Who Should Apply?

Our Applied Mental Health Internship Program is designed for students and young professionals (ages 16+) who are passionate about mental health and eager to gain hands-on experience in program design, strategy, and implementation. No previous experience is required. All training and support will be provided.

You should apply if you are:

✅ A student or early-career professional in psychology, social work, global health, public policy, or related fields seeking real-world mental health experience.

✅ Interested in creating impact—you want to design and implement a custom mental health project addressing a specific population, issue, or country.

✅ Seeking a competitive edge—you want to gain practical, applied skills in mental health program development that go beyond classroom learning.

✅ Exploring mental health careers and looking for experiential learning, mentorship, and networking opportunities.

✅ A changemaker, advocate, or aspiring leader ready to turn ideas into action in mental health innovation.

This program is ideal for those looking to gain meaningful, project-based experience that can enhance applications for college, graduate school, fellowships, or future job opportunities in mental health and social impact fields.

Spots are limited! Apply today to start building your impact.

Meet Lara

Your instructor and supervisor for this program is Lara Gregorio, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), a dedicated mental health advocate and program strategist with a passion for expanding access to mental health education, advocacy, and support on a global scale. With over 20 years of experience in clinical practice, community mental health, and program development, Lara has designed and led transformative mental health initiatives that equip individuals with the skills to create real-world change.

Throughout their career, Lara has worked with diverse global communities, helping to bridge the gap between mental health awareness and action. She is committed to stigma reduction, social justice, and increasing access to mental health resources, particularly in underserved populations. Her work has empowered hundreds of individuals to launch mental health campaigns, peer support initiatives, and advocacy projects that continue to make a lasting difference.

With a mission to equip the next generation of mental health changemakers, Lara combines clinical expertise, hands-on mentorship, and a passion for community-driven solutions to guide interns in designing, implementing, and leading impactful mental health projects worldwide.

The 4C Community

At 4C, we are laser focused on ensuring that individuals from disadvantaged communities, largely across Southeast Asia and Africa, have access to evidence-based mental health tools and coping strategies that are critical for personal growth, well-being, and community resilience.

4C stands for Classes and Connection for Collective Change. It highlights our commitment to bringing people together through transformative classes that build essential mental health skills, while fostering connections that inspire and support one another. Together, our community creates positive, lasting change—impacting individuals, families, and communities around the world.