Mental Health Aide Training Programs
Dig into the degree and certificate programs that can provide training to become a mental health aide. Learn about the courses and experiential learning in these programs and what other careers these degrees can lead to.
What Mental Health Aide Training Programs Are Available?
Programs designed specifically to train you as a mental health aide are very rare. Instead, you may be able to earn related training through a human services program. These programs are available at the certificate, associate's and bachelor's degree levels.
<table border="1"><tr><td><b>What To Study</b></td><td> Human services programs available at certificate, associate's and bachelor's degree level prepare you for this career</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>What You'll Learn</b></td><td> Community work, cultural sensitivity, social work, psychiatric care, mental health assistance</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Common Courses</b></td><td> Best practices, behavioral health, social welfare, organizational behavior, program planning</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Career Prospects</b></td><td> Work as mental health aide, case worker, mental health technician, youth worker and other positions; further education, like completing a master's, will bring greater opportunity</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Median Salary (2020)</b></td><td> $31,570 (<i>for all psychiatric aides</i>)*</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Job Outlook (2019-2029)</b></td><td> 11% growth (<i>for all psychiatric aides</i>)*</td></tr>
</table><p><i>Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics</i>
</p><h3 id="section---WhatMightMyProgramEntail">What Might My Program Entail?</h3><p>The core topics covered through programs at all educational levels might include functions and roles of possible professional opportunities, attending the needs of people, listening to people in need, developing cultural sensitivity, assisting people of various problems and ages, social problems and healthcare. You may also develop skills in community work, social work, mental health assistance, psychiatric care and reaching out to the community.
</p><h3 id="section---WhatCoursesCanIExpect">What Courses Can I Expect?</h3><p>If you are interested in a certificate or associate's degree program, you can expect to complete courses covering best practices, therapeutic approaches, behavioral health, substance abuse counseling, social welfare, social work concepts and diversity. Some programs offer additional classes in crisis intervention, group dynamics, case management, helping strategies, cultural competencies, drug addictions and family dynamics.
</p><p>A bachelor's degree program may also include courses in non-profit fundraising, human services management, research methods, professional and legal issues, organizational behavior, career development, life development and program planning. To further your professional development, you can find supervised practicums or internships across all levels of education. Since all levels of educations may require hands-on training, distance learning programs are very hard to find.
</p><h3 id="section---WhatCanIDoWithMyEducation">What Can I Do With My Education?</h3><p>In addition to qualifying for a career as a mental health aide, your education may also lead you to a career as a youth worker, case worker, mental health technician, behavioral management aide, residential counselor, case management aide or intake interviewer. You may find that a certificate or associate's degree program can be sufficient education, but further education can help you learn additional skills and professional responsibilities. If you are interested in continuing your education even further, some schools offer master's degree programs in this field.</p>