Download Careers in Mental Health Care

MENTAL HEALTH CAREERS
Copyright © 2007 by Mosby, Inc., an affiliate of Elsevier Inc.
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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.
Copyright © 2007 by Mosby, Inc., an affiliate of Elsevier Inc.
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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 selfesteem; aging-related mental health issues; family,
parenting or marital problems; grief, anger, or
depression; and other emotional or behavioral
issues.
Copyright © 2007 by Mosby, Inc., an affiliate of Elsevier Inc.
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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).
Copyright © 2007 by Mosby, Inc., an affiliate of Elsevier Inc.
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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.
Copyright © 2007 by Mosby, Inc., an affiliate of Elsevier Inc.
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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
Copyright © 2007 by Mosby, Inc., an affiliate of Elsevier Inc.
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Schooling
 4-year residency after earning a medical degree (12
years total)
 Must be licensed
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Salary and Outlook
Salary
 $150,000 - $300,000
Outlook
 + 23 %
Copyright © 2007 by Mosby, Inc., an affiliate of Elsevier Inc.
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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).
Copyright © 2007 by Mosby, Inc., an affiliate of Elsevier Inc.
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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.
Copyright © 2007 by Mosby, Inc., an affiliate of Elsevier Inc.
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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
Copyright © 2007 by Mosby, Inc., an affiliate of Elsevier Inc.
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Salary and Outlook
Salary
 $36,100 -$96,600 in Wisconsin
 $37,300 - $104,500 Nationally
Outlook
 + 18 %
Copyright © 2007 by Mosby, Inc., an affiliate of Elsevier Inc.
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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.
Copyright © 2007 by Mosby, Inc., an affiliate of Elsevier Inc.
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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.
Copyright © 2007 by Mosby, Inc., an affiliate of Elsevier Inc.
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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!
Copyright © 2007 by Mosby, Inc., an affiliate of Elsevier Inc.
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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.
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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.
Copyright © 2007 by Mosby, Inc., an affiliate of Elsevier Inc.
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Working Conditions
 Professional Counselors work a standard 40-hr
week
 Some may work evenings to counsel clients who
work during the day
Copyright © 2007 by Mosby, Inc., an affiliate of Elsevier Inc.
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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.
Copyright © 2007 by Mosby, Inc., an affiliate of Elsevier Inc.
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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
Copyright © 2007 by Mosby, Inc., an affiliate of Elsevier Inc.
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Psychoneuroses
 Functional disturbances of the mind
 Everyone experiences anxiety and depression
 Phobias are specific unrealistic fears
 Hypochondria is the belief in imaginary illness
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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
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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
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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
Copyright © 2007 by Mosby, Inc., an affiliate of Elsevier Inc.
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Forms of Therapy
Copyright © 2007 by Mosby, Inc., an affiliate of Elsevier Inc.
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