Youth Mental Health Worker

The Youth Mental Health Worker is a partnership between the Canadian Mental Health Association, Haliburton Kawartha Pine Ridge (CMHA HKPR) and Point in Time Centre for Children Youth and Parents - Youth Wellness Hub (YWH).

Under the collaborative direction of the CMHA HKPR Manager and the YWH Manager, working within the context of a multidisciplinary team, the Youth Mental Health Worker (YMHW) will provide evidence informed mental health interventions and addiction/harm reduction supports to youth, ages 12-25. Using a client-centered approach, the YMHW will use evidence informed screening and assessment tools to provide therapeutic supports and/or interventions to youth, including but not limited to solution-focused narrative therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, and motivational interviewing to youth. This position will have a specialty focus on supporting people with one or more of the following self-identifications: gender diverse, LGBTQI, neuro diverse, intellectual disability, FASD, and learning disability.

Location: Haliburton
Status: Full-time 

Posting#YMHW-FT-05-26

Wage: $30.95/hour to $32.38/hour
Application Deadline: 12:00 noon on May 20, 2026

KEY RESPONSIBILILTIES:

1.  Mental Health and Addictions Support

Provide timely, responsive, evidence-based interventions and support for youth age 12-25

Apply knowledge of the symptoms of overdose/withdrawal of various substances and assist the client in seeking medical attention as required.

Assess, implement and develop evidence-based, best-practice interventions including but not limited to Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Dialectical Behavioural Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing, psychosocial education, to promote improved psychological function and recovery

Help identify when youth may require supports – either in terms of mental health or substance use and assist clients in bridging/navigating social service systems, including income supports, psychiatric, medical, behavioural, vocational, educational, housing, and other support services as needed

Help provide education and capacity to all staff re: harm reduction and mental health

Participate in program planning, implementation and evaluations

Collaborate with community partners

Provide referrals/make linkages to culturally appropriate services/supports

Create a welcoming culturally safe space/environment

Participate as a team member in the day to day hub operations

2.  Crisis Intervention

Respond immediately to crisis situations

Complete relevant Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths (CANS) tool (crisis) 

Establish crisis and suicide safety plans and make referrals (internal or external) as needed

Provide intensive service for up to 21 days

Complete crisis reports, contact notes, consent and other documentation as needed

Liaise with/refer to other service providers as needed 

Enter documents and statistics into a database

3.  Case Management

Manage clients in multiple services (through case conferencing, collaborating with other service providers, writing reports (e.g. coordinated service plans), advocate both internally and externally, offer flexibility on service models to serve youth with multiple co-occurring needs.

Document and maintain electronic youth client records (intake and assessment forms, progress notes, correspondences, client files, etc.)

4.  Quality Improvement (Q.I.)

Support the development of a quality improvement culture across the program and organization.

Actively participate in Q.I. committees to support coordination and service delivery as

Provide support to quality improvement projects in the program portfolio(s).

Participate in the development, implementation, evaluation and revision of program policies and procedures for the program(s), as

Actively participate in the development of a sustainability program to ensure ongoing application of all Accreditation standards, Required Organizational Practices, and Quality Improvement projects.

5.  Continuing Competency

Stay current with administrative requirements, including relevant legislation and all CMHA HKPR/YWH policies and

Stay current with leading practices in relevant fields (e.g. attending training and/or conferences, reading current literature, etc.)

6.  Documentation

Ensure that all forms and reports are accurate and submitted within established timelines, consistent with organization policies and

Utilize CMHA HKPR/YWH established client database documentation programs

7.  Performance Management and Professional Development 

Participate cooperatively in the agency performance management process/system

Stay current on relevant legislation and best practices, current research, policies and procedures

Participate in ongoing professional development and mandatory training

Actively engage and participate in supervisory process

8.  Health and Safety – Worker Responsibilities

Work in compliance with the Occupational Health And Safety Act, applicable regulations and all organizational health and safety requirements and procedures to ensure the health and safety of clients, staff/colleagues, volunteers and students.

9.  Client Safety

Adhere to CMHA HKPR/YWH client safety programs including program policies as well as infection control and prevention procedures.  In partnership with clients, family members, and fellow staff, maintain open lines of communication to assist the organization in identifying and achieving quality outcomes for client safety.  Report on client safety incidents and suggested improvements to manager or delegate

10.  Other Duties as Assigned 

Attend, participate in team/staff meetings, and all-staff meetings as required

Participate in external committees as required

Set up and take down of meeting rooms and spaces

Duties may change from time to time

REQUIREMENTS OF THE POSITION

EDUCATION & TRAINING

Required Items

Successful completion of Bachelor/Masters of Social Work, Psychology, or related degree, with a postgraduate certificate in Addictions and Mental Health, or an equivalent combination of work experience and education

Current Certificate of Registration with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW) is an asset.

Other Relevant and Related Items

Training in information systems, privacy and data management

Successful completion of advanced training in Microsoft software and/or database software

Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS 2015)

Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC)

Workplace Discrimination, Harassment & Violence Prevention

Accessibility for Ontarians with Disability Act (AODA)

Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST)

Verbal Intervention Training

Ontario Common Assessment of Need (OCAN)

Training in established Client Record Management System

First Aid/C.P.R.

EXPERIENCE

Required Items

3 years’ experience working in a related position preferred, ideally in a community-based setting

Other Relevant and Related Items

Experience working with black youth and people of color, First Nations, Métis and Inuit and 2SLGBTQ+ peoples is an asset

Formal education in the following: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT) or other forms of emotional regulation support, Motivational Interviewing, Concurrent Disorders, Trauma-Informed Therapy.

Experience with program evaluation

Experience in the non-for-profit sector or health care setting with a focus on mental health interventions and addiction/harm reduction supports to youth, ages 12-25

Lived expertise with a mental health concern or addiction, either personally or with a family member

COMPETENCIES

Work Related Competencies

Initiative and Self-Development 

Consistently doing work in accordance with defined expectations, as well as actively working to solve problems when novel situations emerge. Being actively interested in personal development through reflection and active engagement

Sustainability

Respects that the organization has finite human and physical resources, while at the same time working to help achieve assigned tasks and goals. 

Learning and Innovation

Valuing professional development, applying new skills and knowledge to work challenges. 

Supports and Accountability

Works to provide appropriate and effective support to others; actively works to achieve individual and team goals and desired outcomes. 

Focus on Quality and Strategic Priorities

Works to provide effective support to accomplish specific goals and tasks; manages time and work priorities effectively.

Communication and Professionalism

Is sensitive in interpersonal communications and works to understand and respond to others in an ethical and professional manner

Emotional and Social Competencies  

Self-Perception

An individual’s feelings of inner strength, confidence, and the desire to pursue meaningful goals.  It also involves the person’s understanding of what, when, why, and how different emotions impact our thoughts and actions.

Interpersonal

Skills in developing and maintaining relationships based on trust, compassion, and empathy. The ability to articulate an understanding of another person’s perspective, and to show genuine concern for others.

Optimism

Working to remain positive and hopeful despite setbacks and obstacles.

Stress Management & Coping

How well an individual copes with the emotions associated with change and unpredictable circumstances

Adaptability

The way a person uses emotional information by understanding the impact emotions have on problem-solving. It also involves the ability to resist or delay impulses and remain objective.

Self-Expression

This dimension includes the ability to openly and constructively express thoughts and feelings when it comes to important issues and concerns.

Direct Service Special Technical or Knowledge Skills     

Factual Knowledge of Mental Health & Addiction

Including diagnoses and treatment, knowledge of social determinants of health, substance use, pharmacology, community and/or sector context, human development theory, recovery theory, and best practices with specialized populations.

Working with clients

Including engagement, therapeutic rapport skills, appropriate use of personal disclosure, boundaries, ethics, diversity, clarity of roles and responsibilities, knowledge of transference and countertransference, clinical detachment, ability to provide person/client-centred care, and modelling of harm reduction approaches.

Interviewing & Assessment Skills

including biopsychosocial assessments, concurrent-disorder- informed assessments, active listening, interviewing and Socratic questioning skills, ability to provide appropriate risk, safety, and suicide assessments, “trauma-informed” lens, and use of collateral information and assessments.

Service & Support

Including treatment planning and provision of helpful supports (e.g. knowledge and ability to effectively use therapeutic interventions, outcome-focused, motivational interviewing skills), working with clients on goals and recovery, ability to case conference where required, and working effectively with an interdisciplinary team.

Documentation

Including compliance with policies and procedures, guidelines, team operating procedures, consents, service agreements, assessments, safety plans, safety reporting, case coverage notes, medication documentation, and providing statistics as required.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

Required Items

Valid G driver’s license

Automobile in good repair and insurance coverage as required by agency policy

Satisfactory police records search

Satisfactory references

Proof of receipt of full COVID-19 vaccine

Ability to work remotely, for example from home, as required.

 Requirement to have reliable home internet service and the technology to complete work from a remote location, for example computer/laptop, telephone, etc.

Willingness and ability to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends

Other Relevant and Related Items

Intermediate to advanced minus proficiency in French

WORKING CONDITIONS

Work directly with individuals living with mental health concerns, dual diagnosis and/or addictions, individuals who are experiencing emotional and/or mental health issues and are working towards recovery

Working directly with clients can expose staff to risks of physical injury, violence, psychological/emotional injury and infections. All staff are expected to take all precautions to ensure their safety and to reach out to for support as required. 

Works primarily in an office setting and in the community.

Frequent use of standard office equipment requiring co-ordination and skill

There are multiple competing demands which require time management skills, the ability to be flexible and to prioritize

Some evening and weekend shifts will be required