Careers in Mental Health Support

Students interested in mental health support have a wide array of opportunities available to them. From counseling and therapy roles to psychiatry and social work, the field offers diverse career paths. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors is projected to grow 17 percent from 2024 to 2034, much faster than the average for all occupations. Additionally, roles such as clinical psychologists are also in high demand, with opportunities to work in various settings including hospitals, schools, community health centers, and private practices.

Mental Health Professionals of all levels and areas can specialize in numerous areas of interest and passion including:

• Marriage & family
• Child welfare
• Neurodivergent populations (ADHD, Autism Spectrum, Dyslexia, etc.)
• Domestic Violence
• Mood Disorders
• Anxiety Disorders
• Severe Mental Illness
• Trauma/PTSD
• Substance Abuse and Addictions
• Career Development
• Business & Workforce
• And more

The range of workplace for mental health professionals is vast including:

• Hospital inpatient treatment
• Substance abuse recovery centers
• Community Colleges and Universities
• Public Schools
• Advocacy Centers
• Child welfare and protection services
• Public Health Programs
• Public Schools
• Crisis Centers
• Prisons and Correctional Facilities
• Outpatient and private clinics
• Churches
• Federal and State Government Agencies
• Armed Forces
• and more

Occupational profiles tell us:

• Typical Wages
• Education, Certifications, Licensure & Apprenticeships
• Activities, Knowledge, Abilities, Skills
• Economic Outlook
• Related Occupations

There are numerous ways that students can explore their interest of the mental health field during their high school years. These include:

The following courses can all be great foundations for a future career in mental health:

• Psychology

• AP Psychology

• Statistics

• Biology

• Child Development

• Sociology

• Criminal Justice

• Business

The Detroit Wayne Integrated Health Network’s Mental Health Youth Council (MHYC) is comprised of Wayne County high school students who are working to fill gaps in traditional mental health services in their communities and address mental healthcare disparities that they have experienced firsthand in education, housing, foster care, addiction/recovery, and work to advocate for change with state-level policy makers.

Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is a course that teaches you how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance use disorders. The training gives you the skills you need to reach out and provide initial help and support to someone who may be developing a mental health or substance use problem or experiencing a crisis. This could be a great way to get experiential learning and build your resume at the same time!

It can be empowering and insightful to either job shadow or volunteer with organizations that offer mental health services. Many organizations will accept volunteers for a variety of roles. You can volunteer time and services at mental health clinics, non-profit agencies, community health organizations, substance abuse clinics and more!

Find organizations to volunteer:

Community Health Worker Certification Program

Social Work and Counseling - Associate in Arts

FAFSA Code: 002270

Mental Health Associate Program

FAFSA Code: 009230

Pre-Social Work Associates of Arts

FAFSA Code: 009230

MiTransfer Pathway - Psychology

FAFSA Code: 002315

Most Universities in Wayne County offer Bachelor of Arts or Science and Masters of Arts, Science and Social Work programs in the following areas that provide a fundamentals to find entry-level work or advance into more focused Masters programs:

• Psychology
• Clinical Psychology
• Counseling Psychology
• Clinical Mental Health Counseling
• Substance Abuse Counseling
• School Counseling
• Sociology
• Social Work
• Human Services

Academic Programs

FAFSA Code: 002329

Majors and Minors

FAFSA Code: 002326

Academic Programs

FAFSA Code: 002323

Find Your Program

FAFSA Code: 002282

Mental Health Associate Degree

FAFSA Code: 004466

Pre-Social Work Associate Degree

FAFSA Code: 008906

Associates of Arts in Human Services

FAFSA Code: 002328

Explore multiple degrees & programs

FAFSA Code: 002259

Mental Health Careers

FAFSA Code: 002325

Explore multiple degrees & programs

FAFSA Code: 002307

• 1-2-3 approach to paying for college
• Comparing financial aid offers

• Decoding financial aid offers

This document includes just a sample of programs available in the Metro-Detroit area. Remember to check websites for program offerings. Your school’s career exploration tools will also highlight a variety of related careers and education and training institutions.

References: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook

Note: Inclusion of a program in our database does not indicate an endorsement by Wayne RESA. The database is for informational purposes only.

Department of Workforce Development, CTE, Adult Ed and Career Counseling