Annually, about 25% of adults suffer from mental diseases. Unfortunately, the number of professionals in the mental health field isn’t enough to handle this influx of patients.
Additionally, the resources are limited here, implying that many of those who need this assistance leave the centers without getting the help they required.
However, when it comes to students, the shortage of staff might sound like an advantage, as it increases the chances of landing a job after graduation.
Still, everything isn’t easy, especially due to medical health career’s high demands, which include the utmost compassion and determination.
All in all, mental health jobs are highly rewarding, which is common for jobs that are motivated by the aspiration to help others.
So, if you fall into the category of determined, compassionate, and selfless individuals, below are the best jobs in mental health that you can pursue.
Before we answer your query on “what jobs can you get in mental health,” here’s a closer look at some of the essential skills that mental health practitioners need to possess.
- Active listening – it enables you to understand the person who is seeking mental health care
- Social insightfulness – with the skills, you will be in an ideal position to learn what the patient or those around you are feeling
- Be ready to go beyond your limits to help others
- Good communication skills – these enable you to articulate your arguments perfectly to the patient or anyone you are talking to
- Critical thinking skills – they enable you to analyze the situation well and offer the most appropriate solution.
With these skills and the right knowledge, your chances of succeeding in the mental health sector have already received some boosts, and you can consider these job opportunities.
1. Psychiatry
It is a lucrative career due to the huge fees that patients pay to book an appointment with a psychiatrist. However, the profession requires people with exceptional skills and knowledge, including a degree in medicine.
The medicine degree mostly takes about 6 years to complete, but you should be ready to spend another 6 years of post-graduate training.
As a psychiatrist, your main task is diagnosing, treating, and helping prevent the occurrence of mental and emotional disorders.
Due to the medical training that psychiatrists undertake, they are permitted to prescribe medicine and also observe the medication’s progress.
In addition, psychiatrists’ expertise in medicine means that they easily understand and differentiate between psychological and emotional disorders.
Finally, most counseling sessions with your psychiatrist last about 30 minutes, and they are slightly expensive.
However, given the professionals’ expertise in matters concerning mental and emotional illnesses, the high amount that you end paying is, without a doubt, worth the cost.
2. Psychology
Qualifications to become a psychologist include a degree in psychology and a 2-year master’s degree, or a 3-year clinical doctorate.
Also, there are psychologists with Ph.D. degrees, and these earn the title “Dr.” As a psychologist, you can opt for one of these two careers:
- Clinical psychology – the minimal qualification here is a post-graduate degree in clinical psychology. With this, clinical psychologists mainly work in hospitals, and it requires them to possess additional clinical assessment and diagnostic training
- Counseling psychology – the field includes clinical neuropsychologists, as well as clinical and organizational psychologists, with extra post-graduate training in a given area.
Generally, psychologists, due to their extensive training in non-medical involvements, aren’t permitted to prescribe medicines to patients, which makes them work closely with psychiatrists.
However, psychology sessions are about 1-hour long, and it provides them with enough time for in-depth problem analysis. Additionally, the long sessions here allow psychologists to teach patients how to manage their challenges.
3. Counselling
If you are looking for jobs in mental health without a degree, counseling might be an ideal option to consider, as you can start your career here with a state-recognized diploma.
Still, to get the best out of your counseling career, you need to be a specialist in a given area. Specialization can be based on what you excelled in most of what you have the utmost passion in.
In the end, you should be in an ideal position to offer advice, motivation, and directions to those who come seeking your services. To achieve it, you must be focused and practical.
That said, some of the specializations that you can consider are:
- Youth work
- Drug counseling
- School counseling
4. Social Work
Social workers provide highly important services to the less privileged in the society. All in all, the biggest advantage of social work careers is the way they offer diverse opportunities, and you get a chance to work with many firms.
To become a social worker, you need a master’s degree in social work, as with the master’s degree, you will be licensed to work in many states. However, it is possible to start your career with a bachelor’s degree.
Finally, as a social worker, you can work in clinical settings in:
- Private firms
- Corporates
- Schools
- Health centers
5. Behavioral Health Careers: Applied Behavior Analyst
Here, professionals get an opportunity to work as an Applied Behavior Analyst, ABA. An ABA works with patients seeking to alter their behaviors, mainly due to mental well-being disorders or environmental contagion.
Additionally, the analyst works with children, those tackling substance abuse problems, and people living with disabilities.
To become an ABA, you need to hold a Master’s in Applied Behavior Analysis and possess exceptional communication and writing skills.
Career options here are numerous, and they include:
- Psychological Assistants
- Occupational Therapy Assistants
- Certified Drug and Alcohol Therapists
- Certified Personal Trainer
Wrap Up
Conclusively, before venturing into the mental health sector, you need to have an exceptional foundation of knowledge to ensure a smooth transition into specializations.
Additionally, before enrolling for advanced courses, take time to reflect on your career and what you want in return or your perception of your future job.
All in all, note that, at times, changing your mind and being flexible might be your best chance of succeeding.
It is also motivating to know that there are numerous mental health careers, and in case one path seems slightly hard, you will get an easy time picking another. To learn more about how to develop a career in mental health fields, visit BetterHelp.
