DBH Student Programs - Unpaid Internship Opportunities - General

Please note: Effective October 1, 2025, the Ohio Department of Mental Health & Addiction Services has transitioned to its new name-the Ohio Department of Behavioral Health. This change reflects our continued commitment to providing comprehensive, person-centered care that addresses the full range of behavioral health needs for Ohioans. All positions and services now fall under the Ohio Department of Behavioral Health as we move forward in serving individuals, families, and communities across the state.

Please note, this is a general application for unpaid internship opportunities . Your application will be made available to multiple hiring managers who have open positions compatible with your stated areas of interest.

Unpaid Internship positions can be used for credit toward a Practicum requirement.

What you'll do at DBH :

The Ohio Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) offers a dynamic Student Program designed to provide undergraduate and graduate students with valuable hands-on experience in a variety of professional fields. This program is ideal for students pursuing careers in behavioral health, human services, and other related disciplines, as well as those interested in administrative and operational roles within a healthcare system.

Internship opportunities are available across DBH's six regional behavioral health hospitals and central office, allowing students to gain exposure to different aspects of the behavioral health system. Internship placements may include, but are not limited to:

Human Resources - Learn about talent acquisition, employee relations, training and development, and workforce planning within a large state agency.

Information Technology - Gain experience in IT support, cybersecurity, data management, and digital transformation initiatives that support mental health services.

Communications - Assist with public relations, content development, social media, and community outreach to promote mental health awareness and agency initiatives.

Other Administrative Areas - Explore roles in finance, policy development, research, and program management, contributing to the effective operation of a statewide healthcare system. Through this program, students will have the opportunity to apply their classroom knowledge in a real-world setting, explore potential career paths, and develop critical job skills. By engaging with professionals in the field, interns will also build valuable networks and contribute to meaningful projects that impact communities across Ohio.

Internships are unpaid and tailored to align with a student's academic focus and career aspirations. Schedules are flexible and can be adjusted to accommodate academic commitments.

At the State of Ohio, we take care of the team that cares for Ohioans. We provide a variety of quality, competitive benefits to eligible full-time and part-time employees*. For a list of all the State of Ohio Benefits, visit our Total Rewards website ! Our benefits package includes:

Medical Coverage

Free Dental, Vision and Basic Life Insurance premiums after completion of eligibility period

Paid time off, including vacation, personal, sick leave and 11 paid holidays per year

Childbirth, Adoption, and Foster Care leave

Education and Development Opportunities (Employee Development Funds, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, and more)

Public Retirement Systems ( such as OPERS, STRS, SERS, and HPRS ) & Optional Deferred Compensation ( Ohio Deferred Compensation ) *Benefits eligibility is dependent on a number of factors. The Agency Contact listed above will be able to provide specific benefits information for this position.

Qualifications

Position Qualifications

Must be currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program related to the desired internship field.

Must be able to provide your own transportation to/from work location.

Primary Job Skill: Internship

Technical Skills: Human Resources, Information Technology, Administrative Support/Services, Behavioral Health, Communications, Mental Health, Nursing, Data Analytics, Database Administration

Professional Skills: Active Learning, Attention to Detail, Listening, Goal Setting, Teamwork