Candidates must have reliable, secure internet access (home network or mobile hotspot) and the ability to work remotely while collaborating with program staff at the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH).

The Public Health Research Intern will support the Illinois Department of Public Health’s suicide prevention initiatives through research and evaluation. This graduate-level internship offers an in-depth opportunity to apply the core competencies of suicide prevention in real-world public health practice. The intern will gain practical experience in inter-agency collaboration, data analysis, and reporting, all aligned with the Illinois Suicide Prevention Strategic Plan.

Responsibilities

1. Program Support and Implementation

• Collaborate with the Illinois Suicide Prevention Alliance (ISPA).
• Report findings during ISPA meetings and to relevant strategic planning workgroups.

2. Federal and State Grant Support

• Assist with evaluation of suicide prevention programs funded by SAMHSA, the CDC, and General Revenue Funds.
• Support data collection on grant activities, including depression screening, referral pathways, postvention resources, workforce training, and lethal means reduction.
• Contribute to the development of resources for grantees.

3. Research and Data Analysis

• Collaborate with IDPH data managers to gather and analyze suicide-related data.
• Conduct literature reviews on evidence-based suicide prevention strategies.

4. Community and Cultural Engagement

• Assist in gathering input from individuals with lived experience.
• Consult with tribal organizations and other culturally relevant partners to ensure equity and inclusion in prevention efforts.

5. Reporting and Strategic Alignment

• Serve on the data and surveillance workgroup for the State Suicide Prevention Strategic Plan
• Compile data requested by the Suicide Prevention Strategic Plan workgroups for preparing evaluation measures.

6. Additional Projects

• Take on additional projects aligned with the Illinois Suicide Prevention Strategic Plan, based on program needs and the intern’s strengths, interests, and learning goals.

Requirements

• Currently pursuing a graduate degree (and in good academic standing) in Public Health, Epidemiology, Social Work, Psychology, Health Administration, or a related field.
• Demonstrated interest in youth mental health, suicide prevention, or community-based public health.
• Ability to work remotely and independently, and to maintain regular communication with the supervising team.
• Reliable secure home internet access, a hotspot, or VPN.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to conduct comprehensive literature reviews, with an understanding of research methods, data analysis, and study limitations.
• Ability to interpret and summarize public health data and research.
• Familiarity with safe messaging guidelines for talking and writing about suicide, or willingness to learn them.
• Skills in qualitative methods, such as conducting interviews or focus groups, and summarizing themes. This supports gathering input from people with lived experience.
• Strong written communication skills, with the ability to produce clear, well-structured reports.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, especially Excel.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple projects at once.

Preferred Qualifications or Experience 

• Experience with data analysis or visualization software (e.g., SAS, R, SPSS, or Tableau).
• Familiarity with suicide prevention strategies, including upstream and protective factors.
• Experience in program evaluation, grant support, community outreach, or research.

Duration and Compensation:

This is a fully remote internship for the Spring 2027 semester (with flexible start and end dates depending on your academic schedule) and will require a 15-20 hour per week commitment. An early start date (asap) is preferred but not required.

This is an unpaid internship, but academic credit may be available depending on your institution’s policies and guidelines – please check with your academic advisor. 

All applications must be submitted by 9 a.m., Thursday, November 12, 2026 to be considered for this internship. 

Apply Here