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How do you enter the Mental Health field? What are the obstacles and hardships needed to be overcome?

I am debating whether or not to become a psychologist or any career path in the mental health field. My goal is to help Pw/BPD. #mental-health #mental-health-counseling

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Karen’s Answer

Is your passion helping people? If it is, you have a wide range of career choices in Mental Health realm. This is an excellent career field if you are someone who has grit, patience,compassion, and love of all humankind. You will work with all races, ages, and gender identifications. You want to be ok with stress and long exhausting shifts. There are so many social services options in big communities and small. Many times where mental health issues are evident , it is because there are other underlying problems, however. Where depression, anxiety, suicide ideology is present; problems like alcohol/ drug abuse, socioeconomic depravity/homelessness. Many issues tend to be wrapped up together, therefore making the TREATMENT for folks layered. You will need to have an awareness of these various complicated symptoms and be ready to collaborate across many entities / other agencies in order to assist. In other words, you will not be a lone ranger with helping someone "get better." Making money is neither a reality - because these types of jobs are low to mid range salary(similar to teachers)- nor typically is money making a GOAL! ;) Psychologists and Psychiatrists positions require much more schooling and do pay a bit more. However, you will not "land" in that Dr position without MANY hours of practice settings including hospitals, clinics, shelters, group homes, etc.. Take time now to volunteer at several local facilities and talk to the people that work there to get a better perspective of the "why" and "what" for them!
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Tamara’s Answer

Hi Bernae! This is such an excellent question!! A career in the mental health field can be amazingly rewarding, and there is a great demand at this time for great therapists. There are a multitude of directions you can venture into in the field. First and foremost, you must decide if you are genuinely passionate about helping others, having patience, and tough skin at times. The mental health field can be very taxing on your own mental state, so self-care is crucial. Depending on which area in the field you are considering, the schooling time varies. To be a psychologist or psychiatrist, you will need to obtain a PhD, PsyD, EdD, and/or an MD degree. These degrees require many years of school, residencies, internships, and volunteer time. In addition, you must consider the cost of obtaining such degrees, the time you are willing to invest, and potential sacrifices you may need to make. At some point you will be married to your program and will not have much time for anything else. You could also stop at a Masters degree, and still have several options in the field. You would not be a doctor, however you could still practice in the field in some regard. Counseling options are also a great choice (mental health, social worker, substance abuse, etc.), as are positions in education. Surprisingly, with a degree in psychology, you can also work in HR for a host of companies. Listed below are a couple websites that may help in your decision making. I hope the information I provided was helpful for you and others!! Good luck on your journey!! You will be amazing at whatever you choose!! :) :)

https://www.allied-services.org/news/2020/may/working-in-mental-health-is-this-the-right-caree/
http://drjosephhammer.com/psych-grad-school/the-mental-health-professions-career-test/
https://www.learnhowtobecome.org/make-a-difference-careers/mental-health/
https://www.mentalhelp.net/mental-health-professions/so-you-want-to-be-a-mental-health-professional/
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