Inspire Young People to Consider Behavioral Health Careers: Enter CHDI's Video Contest for CT-Licensed Clinicians for a Chance to Win $500!
What drives you to work in children's behavioral health? Share your story for a chance to win!
Like most states across the country, Connecticut is facing a shortage of licensed behavioral health clinicians working with children, youth, and families. This shortage is causing delays across levels of care, limiting access to services for kids and families and increasing rates of burnout and turnover among providers.
As part of our efforts to help grow this critical workforce and encourage more people to pursue careers in children's behavioral health, CHDI is hosting a video contest for Connecticut-licensed behavioral health professionals to share what drives them to work in this field. Some topics might include:
- What is the most rewarding part of your job?
- What keeps you motivated even on challenging days?
- What would you tell a student considering a career in this field?
Clinicians who create the top 3 videos (as selected by our panel of judges) will each win a $500 check! Plus, the first 50 eligible entries will receive a $50 gift card. All entries will help inspire the next generation of clinicians!
Video submissions will be accepted starting today (March 16th) at noon through midnight on Wednesday, April 22, 2026. Winners will be notified by May 8, 2026.
Videos can be recorded on your computer or smartphone using the easy-to-use StoryPrompt tool - no special equipment or advanced editing skills necessary!
We know that there are many challenges within the behavioral health field and that it is often a very demanding job. However, we also know that this field is filled with passionate, committed clinicians who make a difference in the lives of children and families. By growing the field, we can reduce the burden on clinicians and increase access to behavioral health services for children and families across Connecticut. Thanks for your partnership!
Read on for more details and to submit your video:
About the Video Contest
- Video Length: 60 seconds or less
- Video should note your educational background/specific behavioral health field and role (e.g., social worker, clinician, psychologist, psychiatric APRN, etc.).
- Only you (the behavioral health professional) should appear in the video
- Do not include any identifying information regarding any client or other individual (be aware of photos or information visible in video background!).
- Do not identify your employer or include any employer-identifying information in the video.
See full guidelines in the Official Contest Rules.
Filming tips:
- Position light source in front of you or to the side, not behind you, to avoid creating a silhouette; light your face more than the background.
- If recording on a smartphone (a laptop/monitor with webcam can also be used), we strongly suggest using a tripod or propping your phone on a stable surface to ensure a steady shot.
- Check your background to ensure no clutter or personal items/information are visible in the video frame.
- Record in a quiet space with as little background noise as possible. Use a microphone/ headphones with mic if available. Do not include background music.
- Speak slowly and clearly. Consider writing out what you want to say in advance. Do a few practice runs!
This video contest is open to the following professionals:
- Licensed master social workers
- Licensed clinical social workers
- Licensed marriage and family therapists
- Marriage and family therapist associates
- Licensed professional counselors
- Professional counselor associates
- Advanced practice registered nurses
- Psychologists
- Licensed alcohol and drug counselors
- Certified alcohol and drug counselors
- Psychiatrists
Must be currently licensed and working in the children's behavioral health field in Connecticut. CHDI staff and their immediate families are not eligible to enter. Winners may be asked to verify that their CT license is current and in good standing before prizes are awarded.
A panel of qualified judges will select the best three (3) video entries as winners based on the goal of the contest (To encourage high school and college students to learn about and potentially pursue careers in children’s behavioral health) using the following criteria:
- video and audio quality (30%)
- effectiveness of message (35%)
- ability to appeal to a wide audience of students (35%)
Winners will be selected and notified by May 8, 2026!
The 3 top-rated videos (as described in Winner Selection Process) will each win a check for $500!
The first 50 eligible entrants* will receive a $50 Amazon (or comparable) gift card!
All winners will be notified by May 8, 2026.
*Based on time of receipt of the video entry as recorded by StoryPrompt and subject to eligibility verification.
All video submissions may be shared publicly, including but not limited to: on the CHDI website, CHDI social media platforms (currently Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Threads, and BlueSky), in CHDI email marketing, or on other CHDI communications channels. Detailed information is included in the Publicity Release.
All contest entrants will be asked to review and affirm agreement with publicity release language on the StoryPrompt video submission form.
Download the Official Contest Rules (PDF) here:
- Video Length: 60 seconds or less
- Video should note your educational background/specific behavioral health field and role (e.g., social worker, clinician, psychologist, psychiatric APRN, etc.).
- Only you (the behavioral health professional) should appear in the video
- Do not include any identifying information regarding any client or other individual (be aware of photos or information visible in video background!).
- Do not identify your employer or include any employer-identifying information in the video.
See full guidelines in the Official Contest Rules.
Filming tips:
- Position light source in front of you or to the side, not behind you, to avoid creating a silhouette; light your face more than the background.
- If recording on a smartphone (a laptop/monitor with webcam can also be used), we strongly suggest using a tripod or propping your phone on a stable surface to ensure a steady shot.
- Check your background to ensure no clutter or personal items/information are visible in the video frame.
- Record in a quiet space with as little background noise as possible. Use a microphone/ headphones with mic if available. Do not include background music.
- Speak slowly and clearly. Consider writing out what you want to say in advance. Do a few practice runs!
This video contest is open to the following professionals:
- Licensed master social workers
- Licensed clinical social workers
- Licensed marriage and family therapists
- Marriage and family therapist associates
- Licensed professional counselors
- Professional counselor associates
- Advanced practice registered nurses
- Psychologists
- Licensed alcohol and drug counselors
- Certified alcohol and drug counselors
- Psychiatrists
Must be currently licensed and working in the children's behavioral health field in Connecticut. CHDI staff and their immediate families are not eligible to enter. Winners may be asked to verify that their CT license is current and in good standing before prizes are awarded.
A panel of qualified judges will select the best three (3) video entries as winners based on the goal of the contest (To encourage high school and college students to learn about and potentially pursue careers in children’s behavioral health) using the following criteria:
- video and audio quality (30%)
- effectiveness of message (35%)
- ability to appeal to a wide audience of students (35%)
Winners will be selected and notified by May 8, 2026!
The 3 top-rated videos (as described in Winner Selection Process) will each win a check for $500!
The first 50 eligible entrants* will receive a $50 Amazon (or comparable) gift card!
All winners will be notified by May 8, 2026.
*Based on time of receipt of the video entry as recorded by StoryPrompt and subject to eligibility verification.
All video submissions may be shared publicly, including but not limited to: on the CHDI website, CHDI social media platforms (currently Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Threads, and BlueSky), in CHDI email marketing, or on other CHDI communications channels. Detailed information is included in the Publicity Release.
All contest entrants will be asked to review and affirm agreement with publicity release language on the StoryPrompt video submission form.
Download the Official Contest Rules (PDF) here:
Ready to share your story?
The StoryPrompt tool makes submitting your video easy - no advanced video editing skills or equipment required!
Download Official Contest Rules
Download Publicity Release Form
Questions about the contest? Contact Kate Powers, LMSW.
Stock image credit: George Milton via Pexels