What it is

Day-to-day work for people in mental health jobs and social work jobs varies greatly. Work may include addressing topics such as child abuse, homelessness, substance abuse, poverty or domestic violence. They may work directly with clients or patients, or they may research these problems and recommend solutions or public policy.

What it's like

Toni, 27 Psychiatric Technician

The work environment for most mental health jobs and social work jobs is in an office or residential facility, but some work can take place in hospitals or require travel for meetings. To learn more about what working in a mental health job in a hospital is like, see what Toni has to say about her work as a psychiatric technician.

Full-time employees in social work jobs usually work a standard 40-hour week, while some evening and weekend meetings may be required. Some jobs are part time, especially with nonprofit agencies.

What it takes

Training for mental health jobs and social work jobs ranges from a high school diploma (or equivalent) or on-the-job training for aide and technician jobs, to a doctoral degree for psychologist jobs.

To learn more about mental health jobs and social work jobs, check out the job options to the right.

Jobs in this field

• Associate Clinical Social Worker

  Salary range: $40,000 – $49,000 Minimum training:Master's degree Job description:Associate clinical social workers help people function in their environment, deal with relationships, and solve personal and family problems. More

• Family Therapist

  Salary range: $28,712 – $56,225 Minimum training:Master's degree; state-issued license required Job description:Family therapists counsel individuals, families, couples or organizations in order to resolve emotional conflicts. More

• Licensed Clinical Social Worker

  Salary range: $47,471 – $58,829 Minimum training:Master's degree; state-issued license required Job description:Licensed clinical social workers help people function in their environment, deal with relationships, and solve personal and family problems. More

• Psychiatric Aide

  Salary range: $20,342 – $28,830 Minimum training:On-the-job training Job description:Psychiatric aides help care for physically or mentally ill individuals confined to hospitals or mental health settings. More

• Psychiatric Technician

  Salary range: $39,789 – $52,313 Minimum training:One year of post-secondary training; state-issued license required Job description:A psychiatric technician helps care for physically or mentally ill individuals confined to hospitals or mental health settings. More

• Psychologist

  Salary range: $55,750 – $96,603 Minimum training:Doctorate; state-issued license required Job description:Psychologists diagnose, evaluate and treat mental and emotional disorders. More

• Social and Human Service Assistant

  Salary range: $23,673 – $39,211 Minimum training:High school diploma or equivalent Job description:Social and human service assistants may work in nursing, psychiatry, social work, rehabilitative or physical therapy. More