MENTAL HEALTH CAREERS

1. MENTAL HEALTH CAREERS

2. Careers in Mental Health Care • In general, it involves counseling patients or clients in order to promote their optimum mental health, with an emphasis on prevention. 

3. Information… continued • Working with individuals and/or groups of all ages, health professionals in this field help children, adolescents and adults deal with a variety of life stresses and problems, including addiction/substance abuse; problems with self-esteem; aging-related mental health issues; family, parenting or marital problems; grief, anger, or depression; and other emotional or behavioral issues. 

4. FACTS • Recent research by the National Institute of Mental Health indicates that 26% of the adult population in the U.S. suffers from some diagnosable mental disorder in any given year. • Nearly 6% of all Americans suffer from severe mental illness (i.e., schizophrenia or bipolar disorder). 

5. Psychiatrist • Psychiatrists are licensed physicians specializing in the treatment of mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders • Determines type and severity of disorder and plans necessary therapy • They evaluate a patient’s mental condition in conjunction with his/her physical condition.  • In Wisconsin, only psychiatrists and other M.D.s can prescribe medications to treat mental illness.

6. Working Conditions • They can work in hospitals, clinics, schools, prisons, rehabilitation centers, and mental health facilities as well as in government or private industry. • They work about 48 hours per week • Most psychiatrists spend over 60% of their time with patients • 2/3 of their patients are seen as outpatients

7. Schooling • 4-year residency after earning a medical degree (12 years total) • Must be licensed

8. Salary and Outlook Salary • $150,000 - $300,000 Outlook • + 23 %

9. Psychologist • Psychologists, or clinical psychologists, evaluate, diagnose and treat individuals with mental and/or emotional disorders and assist medical or surgical patients in coping with illness or injury. Psychologists may also specialize in different areas. • Study human behavior and mental processes to understand and explain human actions • They are trained to perform various psychological tests to diagnose mental or emotional disorders and plan and implement appropriate treatment(s).

10. Working Conditions • Psychologists work in hospitals, clinics, schools, prisons, rehabilitation centers, laboratories, schools, and mental health facilities as well as in government or private industry. • Many work independently but can team up with other medical providers- scientists, physicians, engineers, lawyers, etc.

11. Schooling • There are two types of doctoral degrees (8 years) – a Ph.D. (Doctor of Philosophy) and a Psy.D. (Doctor of Psychology). Psychologists with a Ph.D. generally qualify for a number of teaching, research, clinical or counseling positions, while those with a Psy.D. often work in clinical positions. • Internship before the licensure or certification, which is required to practice independently • Most psychologists earn a doctoral degree • Individuals with master’s degree (6 years) work under the supervision of a doctor of psychology

12. Salary and Outlook Salary • $36,100 -$96,600 in Wisconsin • $37,300 - $104,500 Nationally Outlook • + 18 %

13. Social Worker • Provide persons, families, or vulnerable populations with the psychosocial support needed to cope with chronic, acute, or terminal illnesses, such as Alzheimer's, cancer, or AIDS. • Services include advising family care givers, providing patient education and counseling, and making necessary referrals for other social services.

14. Social Worker- Medical • Medical social workers, sometimes referred to as clinical social workers or health services social workers, collaborate with physicians and health care professionals to help individuals cope with social and emotional factors related to a medical condition or problem. • They advise patient and family on following medical recommendations and teach them to use community resources to resume a normal or active lifestyle - without being inhibited by their medical condition.

15. Working Conditions • Social Workers work a standard 40-hour work week with occasional night and weekend meetings • They spend most of their time in an office or residential facility • Some may work for voluntary agencies • The work can be emotionally draining!

16. Schooling • The recommended minimum requirement for most positions is a bachelors degree in social work, psychology, sociology or a related field. • A master's degree in social work (MSW)- (6 years) is usually required for social workers seeking positions in the health and mental health fields. • Social workers must also adhere to certification, licensing and registration laws in the state of Wisconsin.

17. Professional Counselor •  Professional counselors provide mental health and substance abuse care to millions of Americans nationwide.  These master’s-level professionals work in partnership with individuals, families and groups to treat a wide assortment of mental, behavioral and emotional problems and disorders.  • In addition, many professional counselors operate private practices.  In some states, professional counselors are known by the title licensed professional counselor or licensed mental health counselor.

18. Working Conditions • Professional Counselors work a standard 40-hr week • Some may work evenings to counsel clients who work during the day

19. Schooling • The recommended minimum requirement for most positions is a master’s degree- 6 years • A bachelors degree qualifies them to work as a counseling aide.

20. Terms to Know • Behaviors- conditions; actions that can be observed • Phobia- specific, unrealistic fears • Psychology- study of human and animal behavior; normal and abnormal behaviors

21. Psychoneuroses • Functional disturbances of the mind • Everyone experiences anxiety and depression • Phobias are specific unrealistic fears • Hypochondria is the belief in imaginary illness

22. Psychoses • Severe or major mental disorders in which the individual is not in contact with reality. Person does not know that the behavior and thoughts are abnormal • Manic-depressive or bipolar psychosis • Severe depression is followed by elation/excited behavior • Paranoia • Person feels persecuted and plotted against by others

23. Psychoses (Continued) • Deprivation syndrome • Condition in children resulting from inadequate nutrition and an environment unsuited for normal growth and development • Children develop an intellectual slowing and difficulty fitting into society • Dissociative disorders • Person loses or changes identity • Example: multiple personalities

24. Treatment of Mental Disorders • Psychotherapy • Discussion to help understand and cope with problems • Medication • Group therapy • People share their and feelings with others who have the same problem • Electroconvulsive therapy • Uses electric shock to interrupt temporarily the normal functions of the brain • Behavior modification • Used to change the individual’s lifestyle

25. Forms of Therapy