Mental health careers

Millions of Americans are impacted by mental illness—either because they have a mental health disorder themselves or know someone who does. More than half of adults with a mental illness receive no treatment, and this number is rising. The same applies to America’s young people: more than 60% of youth aged 12-17 with major depression receive no mental health treatment.

The COVID19 pandemic added fuel to the already serious mental health crisis that existed prior to 2019. Demand jumped for psychological services for all treatment specializations— from anxiety to depression to trauma-related disorders. But COVID isn’t the only reason more people are struggling with mental health. Other potential contributing factors include:

• discrimination and stigma, such as racism
• long-term stress
• chronic physical health conditions
• job loss or unemployment
• drug and alcohol abuse
• domestic violence and bullying

The role of mental health professionals spans from mental health awareness and disease prevention, to diagnosis, and treatment. The sector relies on the specialist work of psychiatrists, psychologists, psychiatric nurses, social workers, counselors, pharmacists, case workers, psychiatric technicians — and allied health workers (because mental illness does not protect you from physical illness or accident).

Reasons to consider working in mental health jobs

Become a mental health professional if:

• you are interested in how the mind controls the way that people see and interact with their fellow humans and the world in general.
• you know that sometimes, due to disease, injury, or trauma – the mind does not work as it should, leading to the person being unable to respond as expected – and that this can cause distress, fear and suffering.
• you feel empathy for people who are struggling psychologically, and want to develop the professional skills to positively impact the lives of these people.

How to start a career in mental health

Some entry-level mental health jobs can allow for entry without any qualifications, although experience is preferred. Careers in mental health that typically do not require specific degrees, certification, or licensure include:

• health educators
• home health aides
• community health workers
• mental health case managers
• peer support specialists
• substance abuse counselors
• social services assistants
• medical secretaries

However, most mental health jobs require a minimum of a bachelor’s degree, while others require advanced degrees, more rigorous training, and professional certifications. These professions include psychiatrists, psychologists, counselors, psychiatric nurse practitioners, and social workers.

Where do mental health professionals work?

Mental health professionals work in hospitals, private clinics, community health services, schools, correctional institutions, academia, large businesses, and in private practice. They are also employed in government and non-government agencies and may be called upon when there is an emergency, such as a school shooting.

While many mental health professionals work directly with patients in capacities ranging from assessment, therapy, and medication prescription, others work behind-the-scenes in research, health administration, or additional support roles.

Types of mental health professionals

Here’s a quick overview of several common mental health jobs and the salaries these professionals can expect to earn.

Degrees required for careers in mental health

Each mental health career comes with its own educational requirements, and often certification and licensing regulations. This means that the degree required for a specific career is going to differ depending on the education pathway. Regardless of the chosen area of study, ensure that the program has national accreditation before signing up.

Nursing

A bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) is a 4-year program. Along with successfully sitting for the NCLEX-RN exam, it is a requirement to become a registered nurse (RN). With a BSN, possible career options include providing patient care in a hospital or community healthcare facility.

For promotions or specializations, RNs often continue with training to become certified in a specific area of healthcare, such as mental health. Alternatively, they may decide to go further with their studies and earn a master’s degree in nursing (MSN).

Psychiatric nurses who earn a doctoral degree in nursing are usually seeking leadership roles. Alternatively, they may be looking to move into academia, where research or teaching jobs can help to advance processes in the mental health field or to train the next generations of nursing professionals.

Doctors

A 4-year bachelor’s degree is the first step toward becoming a doctor in the U.S. prior to pursuing either an M.D. or D.O. degree. While many aspiring doctors register as pre-med and major in the biological sciences as undergrads, there is the option to major in almost anything as long as you meet the requirements for applying to medical school.

While psychiatrists are usually the first doctors that come to mind when we think of doctors who treat mental illness, primary care doctors also address the mental health of their patients. These are different areas of specialization. A psychiatry residency lasts 4 years, while primary care specialty training ranges between 2 and 4 years.

Psychology

A 4-year bachelor’s degree with a major in psychology lays the groundwork for a future career as a psychologist by exposing students to the foundational discipline knowledge base and introducing some of the main specialist fields. While some of these fields, like industrial and organizational psychology, require a master’s degree for entry, clinical psychologists need a doctoral degree to be able to practice.

» Read: What is the difference between a therapist and counselor?

Counseling

Education and licensing prerequisites for counselors depend on specialization, although a bachelor’s degree in counseling is the minimum educational requirement to enter roles like community health worker or probation officer. A master’s degree is stipulated in most states to be eligible for licensure as a mental health counselor.

In addition to completing your master’s degree coursework, you may also be required to complete between 2,000 and 4,000 hours of supervised clinical practice to be eligible for licensure. Depending on the program, these hours may be rolled into the master’s degree program or separate.

Social work

The education and licensure required for social workers can vary according to the state you plan to work in. In all cases, the path starts with a bachelor’s in social work (BSW) which prepares you for an entry-level role, such as a mental health assistant, family service worker, or caseworker.

In some cases the BSW is not enough on its own to practice as a social worker, and a master’s degree in social work (MSW) may also be required. Most states require master’s level educational training and licensure. Some students seeking positions in academic or government policy-making continue with their studies to the doctoral level.

How to get your first job in mental health

Even if you are unsure of the specific mental health career you want to pursue, a bachelor’s degree is an invaluable first step. After completing this, you also need to meet the requisite additional educational requirements.

Hands-on experience is also useful—both in terms of giving you the experience you need to stand out in the job market, and to learn more about which aspect of mental health you’d like to focus on.

In addition to helping you gain experience, volunteer opportunities and internships can help you network and build relationships.

Finally, you need to determine the licensing and field work requirements for the desired role. Keeping track of all this information can be overwhelming, but you don’t have to do it alone. Your college’s career counseling office can help you chart the best course forward.

Other careers in the mental health sector

This article has covered many of the most common mental health careers, but they are not the only ones. Other career options include art therapist, psychiatric technicians, caregivers, health educators, peer mentors, medical billers, paramedics, chaplains, occupational therapist aides, and many others.

Another mental health career that’s on the rise is psychotherapy— or talk therapy, which aligns with the growing wave of online therapy options. This can be a potential career path for a variety of mental health professionals, including psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, and counselors.  Telemental health also provides greater opportunities for remote work and flexible working hours.