Pictured: 2025 Behavioral Health Graduate and speaker Mohammed Jammeh (left) shares a moment with Cedric Armstrong, another 2025 Training Fund Graduate.
Mohammad Jammeh
Unit Secretary/CNA – Gero Psychiatric Unit & LTCC (Long Term Civil Commitment) | UW Medicine
As a Certified Nursing Assistant, I work closely with patients to provide hands-on care and support with their daily living activities. I primarily work in a long-term care unit and geropsychiatric unit, so most of the individuals I care for are either elderly or young adults. Many of our patients live with chronic conditions like dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, schizophrenia, and other neurocognitive disorders. I’ve always been someone who wants to help people, especially those who are vulnerable or struggling. I saw firsthand how much of a difference the nurses and CNAs made—not just physically, but emotionally. They were kind, patient, and made a scary situation feel manageable.
I often felt like I wanted to do more than just provide physical support; I wanted to understand what they were going through mentally and emotionally too. That’s what led me to the Behavioral Health Tech apprenticeship. I saw it as a way to build on my CNA skills and expand into a field where I could support the whole person, not just the body, but the mind as well.
The Behavioral Health Tech (BHT) Apprenticeship matched my learning style by combining hands-on learning with real-world experience. Since I am a CNA, I have patient care experience, but I wanted to learn in a disciplined and supportive method. It aligned perfectly with my career goals and values.
To me, this opportunity meant a chance to grow, learn, and move forward, both personally and professionally. It meant stepping into roles that challenged me, building meaningful connections, and gaining experiences that shaped the kind of nurse I wanted to become.
Behavioral health’s emotional needs were one of my biggest concerns. Supporting people through tough and even horrific situations is hard, especially when you’re learning. The program supported me on this journey with mentorship, supervision, and open communication. The instructor provided a safe space for me to communicate, process, and gain confidence.
My goal is to continue to grow within the health field and eventually become an RN/BSN. I’m passionate about supporting individuals through recovery and mental health challenges, and I want to continue to deepen my knowledge through continued education and experience.