Financial Support
Helping scholars stay focused on completing education and professional goals.
20 – 25Scholars in Fall 2026
2Degree pathways
4City partners
1Shared mission
Why NYC Men Heal?
Strengthening the workforce that strengthens New York City.
NYC Men Heal is a citywide cross-sector initiative designed to build a representative behavioral health workforce by recruiting, training, and supporting Men of Color through education and into long-term employment opportunities.
Through financial and academic support, professional skill-building, and culturally grounded offerings, the program strengthens NYC’s behavioral health system and improves outcomes for historically underserved communities by expanding access to culturally responsive care.
Why This Work Matters?
Communities thrive when people can access mental health care from professionals who understand their lived experiences. NYC Men Heal is helping build a stronger, more representative behavioral health workforce so that more New Yorkers can receive culturally responsive care from providers who reflect and understand the communities they serve.
Mentorship
Licensure support
Culturally responsive care
Program Support
Support designed to help scholars thrive.
The pilot tests the impact of adding culturally responsive support for current behavioral health graduate student participants.
Academic Support
Resources and academic support to help participants progress toward graduation and licensure.
Mentorship
Peer connection and mentorship with professionals in behavioral health.
Career Development
Professional skill-building, networks, and preparation for long-term employment.
About the Pilot
Fall 2026 Pilot
20–25
The pilot will serve 20–25 scholars.
Priority will be given to scholars currently enrolled in the Career Pathways Training program. Students not enrolled in CPT are encouraged to apply and will be accepted based on program capacity.
Apply
Selection
Cohort Community
Professional Development
Mentorship
Career Foundation
Participant Eligibility
Who can apply?
✓
Be 18 years of age or older.
✓
Be currently enrolled in a university or college in New York City.
✓
Be enrolled in a graduate degree program in:
Social WorkMental Health Counseling
Social WorkMental Health Counseling
✓
Be academically qualified with a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA.
✓
Be committed to working in the New York City behavioral health system.
Ready to make an impact?
Applications for NYC Men Heal participants are now closed. Thank you to everyone who expressed interest in joining the inaugural cohort.
Applications for NYC Men Heal mentors are also now closed. We appreciate the behavioral health professionals who expressed interest in supporting the next generation of providers.
We are currently hiring a Director for NYC Men Heal. If you are interested in helping lead this citywide behavioral health workforce initiative, review the position description and application details.
View Director Position →
View the official NYC Men Heal Director job posting and application information.
Our Partners
A cross-sector citywide initiative.
NYC
NYC Young Men’s Initiative
Leadership and program coordination.
NYC
Mayor’s Office of Community Mental Health
Behavioral health expertise and workforce strategy.
NYC
Human Resources Administration
Workforce and social service alignment.
NYC
Mayor’s Office of Economic Opportunity
Economic mobility and opportunity pathways.
Questions
Frequently asked questions.
Do I need to be enrolled in CPT?
Priority will be given to scholars currently enrolled in Career Pathways Training, but students not enrolled in CPT are encouraged to apply and may be accepted based on program capacity.
What degrees qualify?
Eligible applicants must be pursuing a Master's degree in Social Work or Mental Health Counseling.
How many scholars will be selected?
The Fall 2026 pilot is designed to serve 20–25 scholars.
Who can I contact?
Questions about NYC Men Heal? Email ymi@equityoffice.nyc.gov.
Can anyone apply for the program?
We’re centering the experiences of Black and Latino men, who are underrepresented in mental health and healing professions. We’re seeking applicants who identify as African, African American/Black, Caribbean, Latino/Hispanic, or Afro-Latino, or who come from other underrepresented backgrounds within the broader Black and/or Latino communities. With this in mind, NYC Men Heal does not discriminate based on race, gender, or any other protected characteristic. All programs and activities are open to all eligible applicants.