This page provides links to articles and resources that can help you learn about a career in the field of mental health. The links provide information on the many different types of careers in mental health and the steps necessary to enter this exciting and rewarding field. 

The same link may appear in several places on this page. For example, a link that describes what a person does in a particular career may also be used as a link to provide information on educational degree requirements. The links will also take you to a variety of websites. These include websites from colleges, governments, nonprofits, job listings, and other sites.

When exploring websites about the field of mental health you may come across the term behavioral health. These two terms are often used interchangeably, though they have a slightly different meaning. Mental health is primarily used for a person’s psychological and emotional wellbeing. Behavioral health is a broader term, it not only includes mental health, but also refers to other conditions that affect a person’s behavior. These behaviors include conditions such as eating disorders, substance abuse, and addiction (e.g., gambling disorders). 

“Behavioral” Health: What a Difference a Word Makes! provides a good history of how these terms have evolved over time. 

The following sections cover different topics related to learning about a career in mental health. The first section provides links to websites that give definitions and examples of mental health careers. The next section provides brief descriptions of common educational degrees required and includes a link that list jobs in mental health that do not require a degree.

The field of mental health offers a wide range of career choices. These choices include counseling, therapy, social work, psychologist, psychiatrist, peer specialist, and other related positions. Below are links to four different sites that provide descriptions of different mental health careers/professions. The sites have information on what people do in those jobs, and some (see first link) also have in-depth details about working in those jobs.

The first link is to the Occupational Outlook Handbook website, that is run by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. This website is very useful and provides quick and easy to read information on a variety of topics related to that career. It is a great starting place because it helps you learn about what information you might want to look for on other websites. 

On each page of the Occupational Outlook Handbook that lists a career, they provide additional links for more detailed information. Those links cover what people in those careers do, their work environment, how to start that career, the average pay, future job outlook, similar occupations, and other information. 

The Occupational Outlook Handbook does not list all the careers together on one page. The link takes you to the page titled Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorders, Mental Health Counselors. To explore other careers in mental health, be sure to use the tab at the top titled Similar Occupations. You can also type in a job title in the search bar, also at the top, titled Search Handbook. 

This second link is to the Mental Health America website. The page that opens is titled Types of Mental Health Professionals. This website is not only helpful because of the descriptions it provides of the various careers/professions, but it can also be used as a reference guide to the many career options there are in mental health.

This third link is to the job site Indeed. It has descriptions of the many types of jobs/careers available in mental health. It also outlines the benefits of working in the field of mental health and the skills needed to succeed in it (often referred to as soft skills). It has links within the article to learn more details about these skills, such as active listening and critical thinking. 

This fourth link is to a website that gives information on how to become a Certified Peer Specialist in New York. A peer specialist (also referred to as a peer support specialist) is a person who has personal experience with their own mental health or substance use challenges. This is often referred to as “lived experience.” They work with other individuals who are currently facing those types of challenges by providing support, skill-building, and advocating for their rights and needs. In New York, to become certified as a peer specialist requires a high school degree or equivalent (GED). Peer specialists find work in a variety of settings, including community health centers, crisis response teams, recovery centers, hospitals, and correctional facilities.

The field of mental health offers jobs for all levels of education. Some careers do not require any educational degree; check the list, some only require a high school diploma, while others may require an associate degree, a bachelor’s, a master’s, a doctorate, or a medical degree. The links in the section (Careers in Mental Health) list the different degrees often required for those careers, and if a licensure or certification is necessary.

An associate degree (AA) from a community college takes about two years for full-time students, however, it can take three to four years for part-time students. There are also what are called accelerated programs (often on-line), that can be completed in as little as one year. 

A bachelor’s degree (BA) from a college or university takes on average four to five years. The longer period is for those who attend more part-time. A master’s degree is completed after a bachelor’s degree and takes on average two to three years. The master’s degree (MA) is a very useful degree in that it often provides a wide range of work opportunities, both within organizations and for private practice. A private practice is when you have your own business serving clients. Master’s degrees are common in social work (MSW) and counseling (MA). Individuals often continue further from their master’s degree to obtain licensure within the state they work in. This allows them to receive third-party payment from health insurers. This degree usually provides a significant increase in salary from the bachelor’s level.

A doctorate (PhD or PsyD) takes on average five to seven years. It often includes more time conducting research, taking part in an internship, and completing a dissertation (an original piece of research that contributes to the field of study). Liscensure is also common among those with a doctorate who enter into private practice. However, this is not required for those going into research or related fields.

A medical degree (MD or DO) is required to practice as a psychiatrist. Psychiatrists diagnose and treat mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders and can prescribe medications. It takes an average of twelve or more years from the start of college, through medical school, and then a psychiatry residency to complete it. A residency is a training program at a medical institution that follows medical school.

Degree Program Examples

Below are links to undergraduate and graduate programs related to entering the mental health field. These are examples to help you become familiar with what information is provided in college and university websites. The following links are to State University of New York (SUNY) colleges. These are examples only. New York also has a large number of private colleges and universities.

This first link is to the undergraduate associate degree in Human Services at Genesee Community College. 

This link is to the undergraduate bachelor’s degree offered in Psychology at SUNY New Paltz, New York. 

This link is to the master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling at Brooklyn College. It is a good example of information that is helpful to learn about for any program you might be interested in. It includes a description of the program, the degree requirements, admission requirements, and what is required if licensure is pursued. 

This link is to the doctoral program in Psychology at the University at Buffalo. It is an example of the range of doctoral programs that are available at many colleges and universities. It includes programs in behavioral neuroscience, clinical psychology, cognitive psychology, and social-personality.

For the full list of colleges and universities in the State University of New York system. Many offer programs in psychology, social work, and related mental health fields.

For the full list of colleges and universities in the City University of New York system. Many offer programs in psychology, social work, and related mental health fields

Internships in the field of mental health are available for both high school and college students. Internships provide you with direct, hands-on experience with what a person in a mental health job does on a day-to-day basis. Most internships are unpaid, but they provide information and insight into the field of mental health that is valuable. Internships are also helpful if you decide to apply to schools or jobs that want to know about your background eand xperience. 

There are fewer mental health internships available for high school students than for college students. This link goes to a website of the Wellness Workforce Collaborative in upstate New York. They provide internships for high schools in multiple school districts. Even if you are not in those districts, reviewing their website can give you information about what an internship can look like, and may help you pursue one in your school.

Almost all colleges and universities have listings for internships in a wide range of careers/professions, not just mental health. This link is to the website at the University at Albany. It has a video on the site where you can hear students talk about what their internships have been like for them. It has additional information, but similar to most schools, you would need to be a student with ID to log in to learn about the currently available internships.

Informational Interviews

Informational interviews are an excellent way to learn about the different careers in the field of mental health. These interviews are informal conversations with people who are currently working in one of the mental health professions. They are not job interviews. They are usually set up through family, friends, or teachers who know someone who would be willing to speak with you. It is best to prepare your questions ahead of time. That way, you can ask why they chose the career they did, what training they had, what their workday looks like, and other questions that only a person who is currently employed could answer. The informational interview does not need to be in-person, but can also be done virtually.