Mental Health job description

Mental Health field is involved in the support or treatment for people with mental illnesses. Some professionals working on this field are Mental Health Practitioners and they are required to provide mental health care and therapy to their patients. These practitioners may be alcohol and addiction counselors, psychologists, social workers, or professional counselors. They must perform other administrative duties, such as report creation, and consult other social agencies if necessary. They also teach to their patients better communication skills and techniques to manage moods.

Mental Health workers usually perform many of the following tasks:
• Evaluating mental condition of the client.
• Counseling patients.
• Developing new treatment plans.
• Meeting with patient´s family members.
• Creating reports.

• Being tactful.
• Having good communication skills.
• Being able to set aside their personal judgment.
• Having good knowledge of different social, cultural, and educational place environments.
• Being able to motivate others.
• Having interpersonal skills.
• Being reliable and trustworthy.
• Having listening skills.
• Being able to work with people from different backgrounds.
• Having high attention to details.

Academic requirements for Mental Health jobs vary according to different vacant positions. Mental Health Practitioners are required to have a High School Diploma as a minimum qualification and a Bachelor´s or Master´s Degree in Psychology. Other suitable degrees for this area are Social Work, Counseling, and Human Services programs that take four years. Master´s Degree courses in Mental Health last two or three years. Mental Health Technician job positions demand candidates having a High School Diploma or equivalent qualification. A good recommendation for applicants for these posts is also having an Associate´s Degree in Mental Health or related subject to have suitable knowledge about psychology, group dynamics, and psychiatric nursing. Professionals working on this field can obtain a certification from the American Association of Psychiatric Technicians by passing an examination.