Rural Communities Opioid Response Program - Pathways - Trauma can have a lasting impact on individuals, especially when left unaddressed. This is particularly true among adolescents, whose developing brains and social environments make them especially vulnerable. Research has shown that prevention and early intervention programs tailored to rural communities can significantly improve behavioral health outcomes among youth—particularly when these initiatives are youth-centered and community-driven. In support of youth related initiatives, Bethany Christian Services of Georgia (BCSGA) intends to expand its current substance use disorder services in rural Troup and Meriwether counties by addressing substance use and behavioral health issues that specifically impact youth within these two counties. Through funding provided by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) under the 25-093 Rural Communities Opioid Response Program (RCORP)-Pathways, BCS GA will launch the “EmpowerED Youth: Behavioral Health and Career Pathways program.” EmpowerED Youth is a peer-driven, trauma-informed initiative designed to meet the unique behavioral health needs of middle and high school students (ages 12–18) while also building sustainable career pathways in the behavioral health field. This innovative program takes a two-fold approach: empowering youth to take ownership of their mental wellness and equipping them with the tools to become future behavioral health professionals. The primary objectives of the program are to:? Increase knowledge and awareness of mental health issues among youth.? Provide training and support for youth to assist their peers effectively.? Create tangible career opportunities in the behavioral health sector.? Foster community engagement and reduce stigma associated with mental health.? Utilizing a Peer Leader model along with Dibble Institute’s evidenced based Mind Matters Curriculum, each year, 10 selected youth will undergo intensive training in behavioral health literacy, trauma-informed care, peer support skills, and leadership development. These Peer Leaders will then guide weekly peer-to-peer support sessions for a broader group of 60 students, creating safe spaces to openly discuss behavioral health challenges and develop solutions tailored to meet the needs of youth within their communities. These discussions will not only foster resilience and community healing but also serve as a launchpad for youth-designed initiatives that address substance use and behavioral health issues in their schools and neighborhoods. The program values and utilizes the insights youth bring to the table in shaping practical, effective, and sustainable interventions. In addition to its mental health focus, EmpowerED Youth aims to bridge the gap between education and employment in behavioral health careers. By partnering with local high schools, colleges, health organizations, and behavioral health providers within the community, the program will offer Job shadowing opportunities, Internships, Career exploration, workshops, and Job readiness training. These activities will prepare students for meaningful careers in counseling, social work, psychology, addiction recovery, and related fields—especially important in rural communities where qualified behavioral health professionals are in short supply. Ultimately, Bethany’s EmpowerED Youth RCORP Pathways initiative seeks to transform how rural communities address youth behavioral health—by shifting from a reactive to a proactive model that centers youth voices, builds community resilience, and cultivates a locally grown workforce ready to meet the rising mental health needs of Troup and Meriwether counties. By investing in young people as both change agents and future professionals, EmpowerED Youth promote not just healing, but long-term well-being and systemic change.
