Mental health counselors are vital in helping those whose lives have been ruined by mental illness to manage their condition or overcome it and improve their life so they can once again enjoy living.
The family members can also benefit from their educational support, helping them to understand their loved ones’ illness and better deal with it.
We will also discuss the impact of mental illness on mental health professionals and their career prospects.
Mental Health in America
According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), 43.8 million Americans experience mental illness every year. That’s one in five adults.
One in every 25 adults, or 10 million people, has a serious mental disorder that affects their ability to function normally and live a life.
Depression is the most common cause of disability in the world. Depression is one of the leading causes of disability worldwide. People with depression tend to be less concerned about their health and wellbeing. In America, the rising rates of diabetes and obesity are closely linked to depression.
Mental illness is estimated to cost $193 billion in lost earnings each year. The impact of this on the economy has further implications on the mental well-being for Americans. If we are worried about how to pay for food and a place to stay, it has a detrimental effect on our mental health. In turn, this impacts our ability earn money. This is a vicious circle.
Mental illness can save lives. 90% of suicides in the US are caused by mental health conditions.
We are becoming more aware as a nation of the importance to prioritize mental health. However, there is still much work to be done. The reasons why nearly 60% of adults suffering from mental illness do not receive treatment are complex. Mental health care is expensive, and many people find it difficult to afford. Mental illness is also stigmatized and shunned. Many people are either afraid to admit that they’re ill or don’t want acknowledge it.
You can help to reduce stigma by learning how to be a mental health counsellor. The more that mental health issues are treated, the better the lives of more people.
Impact on Human Life
Mental health counseling is about helping people and their families who are suffering from mental illness. Before we can discuss how to become one, it’s essential to know the impact that mental illness has on lives.
The four most common mental illnesses diagnosed in America include:
- Anxiety 42 million Americans or 18.1% have an anxiety disorder. It can appear in many ways. People with anxiety may suffer from a debilitating and specific phobia. They may also be afraid to leave their home. The feelings of dread are persistent and difficult to get rid. Anxiety can cause physical symptoms such as nausea and headaches.
- Depressive Disorder – 16.9 million Americans or 6.9% have depression. Depression is marked by a very low mood, and lack of interest in the things you used to enjoy. Depression can cause an increase or decrease in appetite, and fatigue. The most difficult part of depression may be that it can cause your worldview to become distorted. You might feel like nobody is interested in you, or that you’ll never achieve anything. You may also think that things will never improve.
- Bipolar Disorder 6.1 million Americans or 2.6% have Bipolar Disorder. Bipolar is characterized by extreme swings between highs and lows. The lows are marked by numbing depressive episodes, while the highs may be characterized as reckless behaviors such as gambling, prostitution, or spending your entire income. Bipolar people often suffer from delusional thoughts.
- Schizophrenia 2.4 million Americans or 1.1% have Schizophrenia. Schizophrenia patients can hear and see things that aren’t really there. The hallucinations they experience are also often frightening. Schizophrenia can also be accompanied by extreme mood swings.
Mental illness can have many symptoms, and they can also have other consequences. Addiction is a common problem for people who have mental health issues. It can be a way to cope with the poor mental health.
In a survey of homeless shelters, 26% of the adults were diagnosed with mental illness. Mental illnesses can make it difficult for people to stay employed, and those with mental illness often lack a strong network of support, making it easy for them become homeless. It is then even more difficult for them to recover from their mental illness, as living on the streets can be a very traumatic experience. In state prisons where 24% had a history of mental illness, this “downward spiral effect” can be observed.
How Can Mental Health Counselors help?
You can help people make positive life changes by learning to be a mental health counsellor.
Mental health counselors work long hours but they do not work “antisocial” hours. This is a great career for those who want to be in healthcare, but don’t wish to sacrifice their time with family or work shifts. You can choose to work privately or open your own clinic, giving you more flexibility.
A counselor’s main job is to speak with clients. The counselor will use the communication skills they learned in their training to create a safe and comfortable environment for the client. The counselor can help the client come to positive realizations by talking about their life and relationships. The counselor can also give the client a sense of belonging in the world, which has a positive impact.
Some mental health counsellors may facilitate group therapy sessions. For example, if they worked with a Narcotics Charity, they could run group therapy for people struggling with addiction. The clients can foster a community feeling while implementing positive self-care techniques under the guidance of the counselor.
Counselors are also required to keep detailed records of their clients’ treatment. These records must be protected by an agreement of strict confidentiality. They should also assess the risk of suicidal behavior or any other dangerous behaviors in order to protect patients.
Sometimes counselors will also intervene in crisis situations, like when a client is about to or has attempted suicide. Counselors will also work with other healthcare professionals involved in the client’s care, and with family members and other care providers.
Find out how you can become a mental healthcare counselor if this is a career path that interests you.
How to become a mental health counselor
You will need to pass the state-specific licensed mental health counseling exam before you can become a counselor. You must also have completed 3,000 clinical hours under supervision and possess a doctorate or master’s degree in mental counseling.
The first step in deciding how to become a counselor for mental illness is to choose a masters or PhD program that suits you.
It is a requirement for counseling licensure to have at least 3,000 hours of clinical supervision. You should choose a program that helps you find and complete your clinical placements. You can use links provided by good educational institutions to access counseling practices.
Second, you should choose a program that is compatible with your lifestyle. There are more and more online counseling programs available. If you’re unable to attend a brick-and-mortar institution because of childcare or other work obligations, you can still pursue your dream.
It’s also important that you feel prepared to become a counselor after you graduate. Your course should not only teach you the necessary communication skills, but also the “business” aspect of counseling. This includes the paperwork you’ll need to complete and the checks that you’ll need to perform. During your training you should be able build a network of supervisors and trainee counselors that you can rely on for support not only in your training but also after graduation. A network of people who share your goals is invaluable for keeping you motivated and helping you solve any problems you may have.
Career Opportunities for Mental Health Counselors
US News and World Report ranked mental health counseling among the top 10 social service jobs and top 100 jobs. Mental health counselors are generally satisfied with their career.
BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics), predicts a 25% rise in the number of mental, behavioral, and substance abuse counselors between 2019-2029. This will result in an extra 79,000 jobs. This field has a much faster growth rate than other professions, with a 4% average. It is therefore a more secure career for mental health counselors. This growth is due to the increased awareness of mental illness and addiction treatment, as well as more people seeking help. Counseling is an important part of the preventative treatment for physical health problems in US healthcare.
As a mental-health counselor, you could work in many different settings. Some counselors help returning soldiers adjust to civilian life by working with the Veterans Association (VA). Some counselors specialize in helping people with substance abuse issues. They help them first implement plans to reduce their substance use, and then they help them maintain sobriety.
Specialize in working with youth, especially children and teens. NAMI (The National Alliance on Mental Illness), reports that half of all chronic mental illness occurs before the age 14 and 34 by the age 24. Early intervention with children and teenagers can have a significant impact on the lives of those affected.
Salary is probably the most important question that people ask when they are looking for information on how to become mental health counselors. In May 2019 the median salary of substance abuse, behavioral disorders and mental health counselors stood at $46,240. The average salary for all professions is $39,810. The lowest 10% of counselors earned less than $29 520 while the top 10% were paid over $76,080. The averages cover a variety of roles in the United States, so you should do some research to determine what salary you can expect.
BLS data shows that government jobs pay the most for counselors, while residential mental health and drug abuse facilities pay the least.