Career: Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers
Ben, a high school junior, has been referred to a social worker. He's been suspended from the swim team, he's barely passing his courses, and he downs a six-pack of beer daily.
Ben doesn't think he has a substance problem. The social worker decides to spend a few sessions asking him about his inner struggles and difficulties at home. She hopes this will lead him to notice that he's using beer to avoid his troubles. If that approach doesn't work, she'll confront Ben about his drinking and recommend that he attend a twelve-step program while continuing to see her.
Mental health and substance abuse social workers assess (evaluate) and treat people with mental illnesses or substance abuse problems.
“I really get to see growth and change in people ... This is about as important a job as any.”
Anthony, Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
Are You Ready To...?
- See clients for one-on-one and group therapy
- Interact with people who are in extreme crises (such as a drug overdose) or intense emotional states (such as rage)
- Train people in the skills of everyday living
- Keep records
- Take good care of yourself to avoid burnout
It Helps to Be...
Someone who wants to help people heal themselves. That requires fine-tuning your knowledge of when to listen, when to talk, and when to sit in silence -- even if it makes you uncomfortable -- rather than rushing to fill in the gaps with your own words.
Make High School Count
- Sign up to be a peer counselor at your school.
- Keep a diary to get to know your own inner thoughts, questions, and struggles at a deeper level.
- Take psychology to learn about human development, emotions, and communication.
- Read about famous social workers such as Frances Perkins, Jane Addams, and Whitney M. Young, Jr.
Did You Know?
- The work of mental health and substance abuse social workers is very similar to that of clinical psychologists and counselors.
Outlook
Government economists expect job growth for mental health and substance abuse social workers to be faster than the average for all careers through 2014.
Social workers with master's degrees who are willing to work in rural areas will find jobs more easily than those who want to work in cities. Many of the job openings in social work are due to high turnover -- many people leave the field because of low pay and high stress.
Compensation
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, mental health and substance abuse social workers earned an average income of $37,980 in 2006.
