How to Change Mental Health from a Passion to a Profession

For many people, mental health has become a passion and helping others through their own journey can be hugely rewarding. There are now more ways than ever to turn this passion into a profession.

Everyone has mental health and for some people, it can be a real struggle. More people are now seeking help, which means that more mental health professionals are needed to cover this growing need.

If you’ve always had a passion for mental health, this could mean a rewarding career change is around the corner. Here you can check out a great way to do just that.

Begin with an Online Mental Health Counseling Degree

It’s common for people to like the idea of becoming a mental health professional but they don’t know where to start. If that sounds like you, a mental health counseling degree online could be exactly what you’re looking for. These programs can equip you with all the skills you need for a career in counseling but with more flexibility than classic education settings.

As we get older, our life gets filled with responsibilities and it can seem difficult to further your career or find new opportunities. That’s where online courses can be a game-changer.

They can offer flexibility for those with existing work and family commitments. As long as these programs are accredited by CACREP, they are as highly regarded as any on-campus alternative.

Whether you’re already in counselling or looking to change your career, these degrees are able to take you to the highest level. You’ll be prepared for passing the licensed professional counselor exam, which will open doors for you to work in a huge range of environments.

Why Mental Health Is a Career That Matters

Some people are naturally inclined to want to help others. This can give you a sense of purpose that your career will be best spent making people better. If you currently have a career where this isn’t possible, you can feel as though you’re not making the difference you crave.

Few careers are able to give you a deep and human connection. Mental health counselling allows professionals to help those suffering from anxiety, depression, grief and much more. The work isn’t only meaningful but it can be life-changing for individuals. For counsellors, this can be intensely rewarding.

It’s also a career that is much in need, both figuratively and literally. The demand is rising and this is also spreading to organizations and not just individuals. Governments are taking mental health more seriously, with schools and workplaces also embracing the fact that people need more help. This has led to plenty more jobs for mental health counselors.

Not only this but it also gives those interested in the industry more opportunities to work in specific areas that are of interest to them. For example, you could be passionate about helping veterans cope with PTSD, children navigate troubles at home or hospitals with their patients in need.

The Power of Turning Passion into Purpose

There are many situations where people can be passionate about improving emotional well-being. This could be a nurse wanting to specialize in mental health, a supportive friend who wants to become a professional, or a volunteer wanting to turn their supportive advice into a career.

Whereas some people are happy to see employment as merely a way to earn money, others want to have more purpose from their career. Becoming a mental health counselor can give you that purpose by also supporting your passion.

In reality, being a mental health professional is about much more than just lending a kind ear. You need to know how to make an accurate assessment, make a treatment plan and have expert knowledge on the different types of therapies available.

If you’re interested in this career, it’s likely you have the passion to help but don’t have all the tools you need to do so. Getting an accredited degree will allow you to make positive changes to people’s well-being with professionalism and proven methods.

Building a Future in Mental Health

The mental health support for people struggling isn’t widely available. More than 3.5 million people are waiting to mental health treatment in the USA, with average wait times around 48 days.

There is a huge gulf between the number of people who need help and the professionals able to provide it. With time being of the essence with mental health support, it’s a huge problem that needs to be addressed. You could be a part of the solution.

It’s an industry that’s only going to get bigger and therefore you can go into it with confidence that it’ll be a degree more than worth your time. If you have a passion for mental health, now is the time to do something about it.

Of course, the journey isn’t going to be easy and it will require hard work both during your degree and in your career beyond it. However, very few roles can offer the same level of satisfaction that can come from helping vulnerable people get the help they crave.