MESA, Arizona – Aug. 7, 2025 – Mesa Community College announces the launch of its new Applied Behavioral Health program. Developed in response to Arizona’s urgent mental health workforce needs, the program prepares students for meaningful careers in behavioral health care and direct patient support.

Arizona currently ranks 49th in the nation for access to adult mental health care, according to a 2023 ranking by the nonprofit Mental Health America. Meanwhile, demand for trained professionals is growing rapidly. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 13% increase in psychiatric technician and aide jobs between 2023 and 2033—well above average.

This two-semester, 22–22.5 credit Certificate of Completion equips students with the skills needed to become behavioral health technicians or assistants. Graduates are eligible to test for Certified or Licensed Nursing Assistant (CNA/LNA) credentials, giving them a strong foundation in both physical and mental health care.

Students in the program receive hands-on training in:

• Bedside care and CNA skills
• Crisis response and de-escalation
• Trauma-informed communication
• Group dynamics and cultural competence
• Ethical standards and documentation

The program was designed by MCC nursing faculty Kathy MacLeod, MSN, RN, in collaboration with the Maricopa County Community College District curriculum team in the Psychology, Social Work, Counseling and Behavioral Health departments. It's ideal for both new students and those already working in care settings who wish to expand their knowledge.

"This experience offers a powerful way to prepare students for the realities of working in a mental health facility,” MacLeod said. “They’re in a safe, controlled environment where they can practice, make mistakes and learn without the pressures of a real-world setting.” 

The program is unique “as the mental health setting can be scary for students. Patients are vulnerable and in unstable conditions. Often students do not get to participate in critical situations like physical holds, while at a clinical rotation, due to the inherent risks involved.”

Thanks to funding from the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System, students train in a newly built Behavioral Health Simulation Lab at MCC’s Red Mountain Campus. This cutting-edge space includes a day room for group therapy, child-friendly care areas, seclusion and observation rooms and safety-first features like ligature-free furniture and magnet-release doors.

Scholarships are available for students who commit to working in behavioral health positions after graduation, helping remove financial barriers to education and employment.

For more information visit mesacc.edu/programs/behavioral-health-sciences or email questions to bht@mesacc.edu. 

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Media contact: Dawn Zimmer, 480-461-7892, dawn.zimmer@mesacc.edu

Mesa Community College (MCC), which is celebrating its 60th anniversary during 2025, is nationally recognized for its excellence in university transfer, career and technical programs, civic engagement, and innovative education. Serving over 25,500 students annually, MCC offers a range of degree and certificate programs across its two campuses and additional locations. MCC students contribute more than 8,500 hours of community service annually. For nearly 60 years, MCC has been a key resource for education, workforce development, and lifelong learning. The college enhances student success through Guided Pathways with Integrated Support Services. A Hispanic Serving Institution, nearly 50% of MCC students are first-generation college attendees, and it boasts the largest indigenous student population among Maricopa County Community College District (MCCCD) colleges. The MCC American Indian Institute supports students from 22 Arizona tribes and additional out-of-state tribes. Our award-winning faculty are committed to helping students achieve their goals through high-quality education and training. Located in the East Valley of Phoenix, Arizona, on the traditional lands of the O'odham, Piipaash, and Yavapai Peoples, MCC is one of 10 MCCCD colleges. Learn more at mesacc.edu.

MCC is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), hlcommission.org.

The Maricopa County Community College District (MCCCD) is an EEO institution and an equal opportunity employer of protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, or national origin. A lack of English language skills will not be a barrier to admission and participation in the career and technical education programs of the District. MCCCD does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability or age in its programs or activities. For Title IX/504 concerns, call the following number to reach the appointed coordinator: (480) 731-8499. For additional information, as well as a listing of all coordinators within the Maricopa College system, visit www.maricopa.edu/non-discrimination.