A Growing Need for Mental Health Professionals

The area of mental health has been noted for employment opportunity growth, as the demand for accessible mental health care is expected to continue to rise.

The National Institute of Mental Health estimates that mental health conditions impact one in five adults in the United States. This aligns with reporting by The National Center for Health Statistics of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). According to the CDC, “From 2019 to 2021, the percentage of adults who had received any mental health treatment increased from 19.2% to 21.6%.” 

The organization also reports, “The percentage of adults who had received any mental health treatment in the past 12 months increased between 2019 and 2021 among adults aged 18–44, from 18.5% to 23.2%.”   

This article explores job opportunities in the mental health field, including how professional mental health providers support clients, the variety of career paths available, and steps for getting started.

The Work of Mental Health Professionals

The mental health field offers many career pathways, including opportunities for individuals to support and provide mental and emotional guidance, whether someone is facing an ongoing mental health challenge or a sudden crisis.

A wide range of care is provided by mental health professionals, varying from diagnosing mental health conditions to offering counseling and treatment planning. Additionally, professional care is provided to support an individual’s unique needs.

A Meaningful Career Path

Mental health is a meaningful career path because it goes beyond the patient-client surface. A career in this field allows professionals to make a difference in the lives of others, create healthier communities, and support their own personal development, as this type of work encourages empathy and emotional growth.

Professionals in the field of mental health are often regarded as caring, compassionate, intuitive, patient, communicative, and as enjoying serving others. Individuals with these traits may not only thrive in this work but also find purpose in it.

With purpose‑driven work becoming more valued, mental health careers are being embraced as powerful and meaningful ways to make a difference. 

Diverse Career Options

The mental health field offers a wide range of career paths, giving individuals opportunities to make powerful impacts in ways that suit them. Mental health careers vary widely depending on experience and educational levels. Here are some types of mental health careers to consider:

• Alcohol and other drug (AOD) counselor: These professionals are trained to provide support and education to those struggling with substance abuse issues.
• Mental health technician: This role is for a professional who provides daily care to individuals who are struggling with a mental health condition, disability, or substance abuse issue.
• Behavioral therapist: This type of therapist focuses on helping individuals identify and address harmful behaviors and change them into positive behaviors. 
• Inpatient therapist: An inpatient therapist provides care for those struggling with substance abuse issues, mental health challenges, and behavioral issues in a treatment facility setting. Inpatient services are associated with around-the-clock care.
• Outpatient therapist: An outpatient therapist is a counselor or psychologist who provides care to clients through regular counseling appointments rather than inpatient, 24/7 care. 
• Social worker: These professionals offer support to clients through counseling or by connecting them with resources such as housing, healthcare, or community programs.

Within the area of professional mental health care, there are multiple specializations you can focus on. Some specialized areas to explore include addiction counseling, trauma-informed care, school counseling, and marriage, couples, and family counseling.

Strong Job Stability and Growing Opportunities

The growing need for mental health services has expanded the range of opportunities for those entering mental health care professions. The field of mental health offers strong job stability and opportunities that are anticipated to continue growing. This growth is due to a number of reasons, such as:

Reduced stigma: As awareness of mental health concerns increases, the stigma around mental health issues reduces, resulting in more individuals reaching out for professional help.

Increased accessibility: Mental health services are becoming more accessible through the advancements of telehealth and expanded insurance coverage. 

Expanded opportunities: There are more options for a career in mental health than before due to the implementation of mental health programs in a wider range of settings, including substance abuse centers, schools, workplaces, and hospitals. 

Ways to Get Started

There are many ways you can get started on your mental health career path. First, identify which career path or specialization you would like to choose. From there, learn about the experience and education requirements. Research facilities that need those types of mental health professionals.

Whether you’re looking for an entry-level role, to embark on your educational journey, or to further job advancement, there are various options available. Many mental health professionals hold associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctorate degrees, though you can still work in the field without one of these. 

Entry-level positions that may not require a degree include behavioral health technician, mental health technician, peer support specialist, and crisis hotline specialist.

Mental Health Careers at Jackson House

Jackson House has a team of qualified healthcare providers offering a variety of mental health services. Our team includes AOD counselors, mental health technicians, discharge planners, and more. 

If you are interested in working at one of our facilities, visit our Careers page for information on available positions.