How Mental Health Care is Changing and What Professionals Can Do to Stay Ahead

Beginning in the twentieth century, mental healthcare began to change. What was once a taboo topic slowly transitioned into something you could talk about at the dinner table. We now live in a world where people will consider mental health services for everything from minor depression to work-related stress and anxiety.

This is good, of course, but it also places a bigger burden on mental health professionals. How can they keep up with the increased demand?

In this article, we take an in-depth look at how mental health care is changing and what professionals can do to stay ahead.

How Mental Health Professionals Can Stay on Top of Their Game

Many people working in healthcare—either directly, or in related positions like clinical social work—are required to regularly continue their education. This not only ensures that they are actively engaging with their profession at a high level, but also that they stay informed about emerging technologies.

Data implementation, AI, and wearable health technology are all healthcare advancements that professionals who graduated twenty years ago would not have been taught in school.

Graduate school is one of several ways mental healthcare professionals or social workers can advance their knowledge. Obviously, it’s not the only way. Most continuing education requirements will take the form of short classes or lectures.

However, graduate school does have several benefits. For one thing, it allows the professional to focus deeply on a specific topic. Clinical social workers are almost always required to hold an MSW for this reason.

It’s also good to keep in mind that graduate degrees can result in better pay— even in positions like social work, which are never known for providing large salaries.

If you are not interested in going to graduate school, there may be specialized certifications that will allow you to do a deeper dive into what factors are most relevant to your profession right now. Research what types of certifications are common in your field.

You may find that they are quicker and more affordable than graduate school while providing a more in-depth look at the topics you are interested in than standard continuing education opportunities would.

Telehealth

One of the biggest technological advances in the world of mental healthcare is the proliferation of telehealth services. Now, many people seek therapeutic assistance online, through either video conferencing or written communication.

The technology to do this has existed for years, but it became more prominent during the pandemic when people had no other way of accessing their regular appointments. Now it is a popular way for people who are busy, or simply unhappy with their local provider options to receive care.

Learning teleconferencing technology won’t be a big barrier to entry for most aspiring mental health professionals. Still, it is an adjustment.

Many people still think of therapeutic services as a primarily face-to-face type of interaction. Integrating video and written communication may require you to step out of your comfort zone a little.

Other Technology

AI and virtual reality are also making waves in the world of mental health care. No, ChatGPT isn’t taking the place of therapists. However, AI models are being used to diagnose patients. These programs have increasingly been shown as effective at analyzing symptoms faster than medical professionals.

They naturally still require supervision but can help accelerate the diagnostic process considerably.

Virtual reality, meanwhile, is sometimes used as a form of “exposure,” therapy, allowing patients to safely experience their fears, or roleplay situations in a consequence-free environment.

An Interest in Holistic Solutions

Many people are distrustful of pharmaceuticals. Not only do they worry about the potential side effects by there is also considerable concern regarding the cost. A recent survey revealed that 40% of people who are on multiple medications report struggling to pay for them.

As a result, many people are more interested in natural ways to stay healthy. In the world of mental health services, this means a bigger emphasis on wellness. Activities that reduce cortisol—the stress chemical—and help patients achieve sustainable contentment.

Patients are more receptive than ever to recommendations like yoga, meditation, and even diet/exercise recommendations that can improve mental health.

An Emphasis on Preventative Care

Modern mental health professionals will also find a much bigger emphasis on taking “minor,” symptoms seriously. People today are more conscious than previous generations of how even moderate amounts of stress and anxiety can develop into bigger problems if left unchecked.

Furthermore, some people are also conscious of lifestyle factors that could produce these feelings, even if that isn’t currently happening. Consequently, some patients might be receptive to recommendations like yoga, meditation, and other holistic practices that naturally allow a person to prioritize their mental health.

No, not every patient will put down their phone and coffee in exchange for herbal tea and breathing exercises. Yes, you may experience good results by explaining how heavily routine can influence mental health.

Conclusion

Perhaps the biggest, and best development in the world of mental health care is simply the way people view therapeutic services. It’s hard for someone in their twenties or thirties to fully appreciate how far society has come in this regard. Where previous generations experienced taboo and social ostracization, today’s patient is met with acceptance and encouragement.

The importance of mental health care is emphasized to school-age children. It’s a consideration that is baked into company policies and discussed in the media.

Things aren’t perfect. Stigma still exists. Healthcare costs may keep people who would have otherwise been receptive to getting help from seeking care. Still, the future looks bright, both for mental health professionals and the people they treat.