From Psychology Major to Behavioral Health Professional: Camille Belkus '26 Helps Launch New Pathway at ӣ Manchester
When Camille Belkus walks across the stage at the ӣ this spring, she will already be well into her professional career, quite a feat for an undergraduate psychology major. Camille is the first ӣ student to participate in a newly developed, paid cooperative education program with the , a partnership designed to prepare students for the realities of community mental health work while still in college.
“This semester, we have the first student from ӣ participating in a paid internship training program developed in partnership with the state’s Community Mental Health System,” says Dr. Nicholas Mian, Associate Professor of Psychology at ӣ Manchester. “It’s a program that the community mental health centers have been developing for some time, and it’s a great opportunity for our students.”
For Camille, the opportunity has already turned into a success story. She began the Co‑Op program in late January 2026 and was hired into a full‑time position at CLM before officially graduating in May.
A Program Years in the Making
The Co‑Op program emerged from a pressing statewide need. New Hampshire’s community mental health system has faced a persistent workforce shortage for years, compounded by increasing demand for services. Exit interviews at CLM revealed a troubling pattern: many bachelor’s-level hires were leaving within their first year, often because they felt unprepared for the emotional and clinical demands of the work.
“When you get a BA in psychology, you learn theory,” explains Steven Arnault, MA, Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at the Center for Life Management. “Graduates often enter the mental health field and quickly realize just how hard the work can be; it often involves working with suicide risk, domestic violence, and serious trauma. Even with strong onboarding, many weren’t ready.”
With more than 30 years of experience in higher education curriculum development, Steve began working with colleges across the state to create a solution: a paid, structured cooperative learning experience that would immerse students in real‑world practice while still providing academic and professional scaffolding.
Because community mental health is a highly regulated field, the program requires close coordination with the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). Bachelor’s‑level roles are governed by specific qualifications outlined in regulation HE‑M 426. Together, DHHS, CLM, and academic partners developed a waiver process allowing students to qualify for these roles if specific curricular elements were embedded into their coursework.
Building the Bridge at ӣ Manchester
Camille was the first student from ӣ to participate in the program, thanks largely to the collaboration between Steve at CLM and Dr. Nick Mian of ӣ Manchester.
“Dr. Mian really gets it,” Steve says. “He understands our mission, the demands of the work, and the importance of preparation.”
Working closely together, Professor Mian and Steve tailored curriculum components to ensure that Camille was trained in foundational clinical tools typically introduced at the graduate or workplace certification level. These included core functional assessments such as the Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths (CANS) and Adult Needs and Strengths Assessment (ANSA), as well as diagnostic and risk-screening tools like the PHQ‑9, the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale, ACES, and the DMID. Evidence‑based practice frameworks were also emphasized to ground her work in clinically proven approaches.
Throughout the semester prior to the internship, Camille met weekly with Dr. Mian for mentoring, studied assessment tools, completed private research, and checked in regularly with Steve and her supervisors at CLM. The goal was clear: ensure that she was not only eligible to do the work but truly prepared for it.
“Camille was a great choice,” Steve says. “She had all the right elements, and she was ready.”
From Capstone to Career
As part of ӣ Manchester’s psychology program, seniors complete a Discovery Program capstone, choosing between research, a project, or an internship. Camille knew she wanted hands‑on experience.
“I was applying to a lot of places and didn’t hear back,” she recalls. “So, I talked to Dr. Mian and applied to CLM.”
What she stepped into was far more than a traditional internship. Through the Co‑Op program, students are hired as part‑time employees, paid for their hours, and entrusted with real responsibility. Camille works approximately 10–12 hours a week as a Collaborative Care Community Support Counselor on CLM’s collaborative care team at the Derry location, providing Functional Support Services that help clients build skills for independence.
“CLM has been incredibly supportive,” Camille says. “They always checked in, asking if I was ready to shadow, and when I was ready to work one‑on‑one with clients. I’m very grateful to have this role and to gain such meaningful employment right out of college.”
Advancing Mission Zero
Beyond individual success, the Co‑Op program supports a broader statewide initiative known as Mission Zero, which aims to reduce the number of people waiting in emergency departments for psychiatric care. A critical barrier to achieving that goal is staffing.
“We can’t keep people out of emergency rooms without staff,” Steve says. “Programs like this build a workforce pipeline that’s sustainable.”
By preparing students earlier, supporting them through paid training, and easing the transition into full‑time employment, the Co‑Op model addresses burnout before it begins—benefiting students, organizations, and the communities they serve.
Looking Ahead
Camille will begin full‑time work at CLM about a week and a half before graduation, joining a team she already feels deeply connected to.
“I couldn’t have lucked out with a better post‑grad plan,” she says. “I don’t have to worry. I can just be excited about graduating and starting my career.”
She’s also keenly aware of what made the opportunity possible.
“I’m very grateful to Dr. Mian for trusting me to do this,” she says. “I really hope this program comes back next year so more students can have this experience.”
Given the success of the pilot, that hope appears well‑founded. As Steve put it simply after watching the partnership unfold: “If you have more students like Camille, send them my way.”
Explore Psychology at ӣ Manchester
Want to learn more about the psychology program at ӣ Manchester?