Employment in mental health is projected
to grow much faster than average
1 in 5 adults experiences mental
illness in a given year
21% of youth 13 to 18 is experiencing
severe mental health disorders
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“I feel like I’ve been preparing for a career in Mental Health . . . . From a young age I can remember being a good listener and was encouraged to become a peer mediator. From there I discovered I had a passion for helping others and decided to pursue a degree in psychology.”
Behavioral Health Aide, Simply Health
“I started my career more than 25 years ago. Although my degree was in psychology I really didn't find my passion for the Behavior Health field until I started working with kids. I was astonished to see how many kids are dealing with significant emotional pain and hopelessness . . .”
Behavioral Health Aide, Simply Health
There are a number of reasons children and adolescents may be in need of mental health services; familial difficulties or adjustments, recovering from traumatic events, being a victim of bullying or coping with signs of mental illness that are just beginning to surface.
It's not uncommon for dynamics in relationships to shift in ways that can greatly impact people's mental well-being. Whether disruption has been caused by a death, a divorce, an illness, substance use, abuse or distrust. Mental health professionals can help couples and families navigate their way back to normalcy.
Nearly 15% of men and 30% of women booked into jails have a serious mental health condition, yet at least 83% of inmates with mental Illness do not have access to necessary treatment. There is a great need for mental health professionals who can work with those incarcerated in our nation’s jails and prisons.
Nearly 20 million people (aged 12 and older) battled a substance use disorder in 2017. ln many cases, substance use disorders and mental health problem is occur together, as substance use or misuse can cause people to experience symptoms of mental illness. Mental health problems can also, at times, lead to alcohol misuse or drug use.
Serious mental illness is defined as a mental, behavioral, or emotional disorder that results in serious functional impairment. This can include schizophrenia, schlzoaffective disorder, and severe bipolar disorder. About half of the more than 8 million American adults living with serious mental illness remain untreated, putting them at high risk for things like homelessness, incarceration, suicide, and familial violence.