The Dissentient Initiative is a national, nonpartisan nonprofit focused on early intervention, mental health support, and public safety resilience. We are seeking a Volunteer Mental Health Advocate to assist individuals reaching out with concerns related to distress, early warning signals, or uncertainty about how to navigate available resources.
This role is non‑clinical. Advocates provide supportive communication, guided intake, resource navigation, and help determine appropriate next steps within clear ethical and legal boundaries.
Responsibilities
- Provide calm, supportive communication to individuals seeking help
- Conduct structured, non‑clinical intake using our internal guidance
- Identify relevant mental health, crisis, and community resources
- Document interactions accurately and confidentially
- Escalate concerns to leadership when risk thresholds are met
- Support our mission of early intervention and harm reduction
Preferred Qualifications
- Degree in Psychology, Counseling, Social Work, Behavioral Health, Public Health, or related field (preferred, not required)
- Certifications such as Mental Health First Aid (MHFA), QPR, ASIST, CISM, or equivalent are strongly preferred
- Experience in crisis response, peer support, case management, or mental health advocacy
- Clear, compassionate communication and strong boundaries
- Ability to follow structured protocols and escalation pathways
- Must be a U.S. Citizen
What You Gain
- Experience supporting a national early‑intervention mission
- Training in structured intake, communication protocols, and ethical guidelines
- A meaningful role that contributes directly to harm reduction and community resilience
- Flexible, remote volunteer work with clear support and supervision