美国.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) does not make a distinction between mental health social workers and substance abuse social workers (link). As medical professionals move toward treating addiction as a disease, 这两个领域将会有更多的重叠. All salary and employment information is based on BLS data, unless otherwise indicated.
工作描述
Social workers in mental health are considered clinical social workers; they diagnose and treat mental illnesses, so more advanced training and certification or licensure is needed. In addition to developing treatment plans for clients with mental illness, mental health social workers provide information on support groups and 12-step programs that can help clients cope with their illness. They may also refer clients to psychiatrists, who can prescribe medications to treat mental illness. Most mental health services are provided by social workers specializing in mental health; 60 percent of mental health professionals are social workers.
工作生活
从事精神卫生工作的社会工作者是独一无二的. 他们采取全面的治疗和康复方法. Like all social workers, mental health social workers see people in their environment. 他们的工作结合了心理、社会和实践策略.
Private practice mental health social workers keep regular office hours, as well as make home visits. 有些人可能在医院或治疗机构工作, 为雇员援助计划或政府工作.
需求
As clinical social workers, those in the mental health field are required to hold a master’s 社会工作学位. 所有的州都要求额外的执照和证书, 但这些要求因州而异.
除了学术和执照标准, those entering the mental health social work field should be compassionate and have excellent listening skills. 社会工作者是问题的解决者，也应该如此, 因此, 具备必要的技能来制定可实现的行动计划. These skills include critical thinking and time management, among others.
薪酬及前景
As of May 2010, the median mental health social worker salary was $38,600. 这个数字根据工作场所的设置而波动. 在医院工作的人的平均年薪为48美元,010, 而从事个人和家庭服务的人的收入为36美元,740.
社会工作者在这一领域的就业正在增加. Job opportunities are expected to grow by 31 percent over the next decade.
