Mental Health Social Worker

Mental health social workers help people with substance abuse problems or mental illness function more effectively in society. Most specialize in some subset of the field. Increasingly, they offer their services as part of managed healthcare packages. Mental health social workers typically work in hospitals, substance abuse treatment centers, individual and family services agencies, or local governments. Alternatively, they may be called clinical social workers.

The mental health social worker absolutely must be emotionally stable and mature. They must be able to cope with responsibility and work independently without supervision. Thus must work well with others, and must inspire their clients to trust and respect them.

Education and Credentials Required
Normally, mental health social workers can expect to need bachelor's degree in social work (BSW). Those who have bachelor's degrees with majors in psychology, sociology, and other related fields might still find employment in entry-level positions. Some jobs stipulate a master's degree in social work (MSW), particularly positions in health settings and clinical work. Public and private agencies may also require an advanced degree. The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accredits about 436 BSW programs and 149 MSW programs.

Future Prospects
Employment opportunities for mental health social workers will most likely grow more quickly than the national average. The area of substance abuse social work will partially drive this. This is an effect of new legislation that requires convicted substance abusers to attend treatment programs rather than do time. Thus the demand for these social workers can be expected to grow massively and rapidly.

Salary Range
The median salary, as of 2002, for mental health social workers was $32.850. The top ten percent salary-wise made more than $52,240, whereas the bottom ten percent made less than $21,050. Experience, location, skill, reputation, hours worked and other factors impact income.