West Virginia has been designated by the Health Resources and Services Administration (2018) as having a shortage of mental health professionals. One way to increase the number of available mental health providers is through career pipeline programs aimed at middle and high school students. The goal of such pipeline programs is to increase the enrollment of undergraduate human service programs that prepare students for careers in behavioral health professions, including social work.

In this project, we will develop a virtual reality game which will simulate client/provider experiences. This will allow middle and high school students to engage with the behavioral health career field in a fun, productive, and educational format. Additionally, we will develop a module that provides educational content as a precursor to the game, as well as debriefing for the students after the game. The dissemination of these products will occur through ongoing efforts in the WVU School of Social Work.