Mental Healthcare in America, PT.2

Continuing our series on the mental healthcare system in America, this blog post will discuss mental healthcare paraprofessionals and other resources, organizations, and professions. This post will also discuss the importance of seeking professional mental health services from qualified individuals and organizations. 

Mental Health Paraprofessionals

Mental health paraprofessionals are individuals who have received training and experience in providing services related to mental healthcare. They may or may not have formal education. They often assist professionals but sometimes offer services independently. They are a critical, growing part of the mental healthcare landscape in America. Some examples of mental health paraprofessionals include:

Certified Peer Support Workers: These are individuals who have lived experience with mental health conditions and/or substance use disorders who are now in established, long-term recovery and have completed training typically offered by state regulators. They provide counseling and case management services to individuals and groups. Their services are mostly paid for by Medicaid insurance. They work in agencies, hospitals, clinics, Medicaid insurance providers, or on a semi-independent basis. 

Behavioral Health Technicians: These individuals typically work in hospitals that provide services for people experiencing severe/acute mental health problems. They support medical providers like psychiatrists and nurses as well as counselors and social workers. They may help with moving and feeding patients, group therapy, observing patients, and establishing therapeutic relationships with patients on the floor. 

Crisis Phone/Text/Chat Workers and Volunteers: Crisis lines have been a major part of the mental health landscape for many decades. They provide a critical resource for people who may not have access to traditional mental healthcare, live in isolation, or simply need a non-judgmental person to speak with. They are also typically available 24/7, 365 days a year. While some lines are staffed by professional counselors, others are staffed by trained volunteers. In recent years, they have expanded from purely telephone-based services to providing text messaging and instant messaging/chat through the internet. Many of these services offer support for people in an acute mental health crisis as well as “warm lines” where individuals can talk with someone about whatever they want. 

Some examples of crisis lines include the national mental health crisis line 988, the New Mexico-based Agora Crisis Center (505-277-3013), the Rape Crisis Center of New Mexico (505-266-7711), The Trevor Project for LGBTQ+ Youth (1-866-488-7386), and the Trans Lifeline (877-565-8860). 

The Importance of Seeking Trusted Resources for Mental Health Issues

While the internet has been revolutionary in many ways, it has also made it easier for people looking for answers to be exposed to misinformation, charlatans, and bad actors. While not all people purporting to offer help on the internet are being intentionally malicious or manipulative, it is important to remember that it is often incredibly difficult to discern fact from fiction or opinion on the internet. Social media personalities, life coaches/guides, influencers, and others on the internet do not have to follow any ethical or legal guidelines when discussing or offering help with mental health topics. They may have other considerations, like getting more views/clicks with controversial or provocative opinions, promoting a product or belief, and/or profiting off of other’s pain by offering “solutions” that are pseudoscientific or based on current fads or trends.  

Trained professionals are very careful and deliberate when providing their opinions or advice about a particular issue. Mental health providers take into consideration your personal situation, their own biases and judgements, the best available scientific and medical information, and consultation from other professionals when engaging in their work. Most professionals belong to organizations that provide ethical and legal guidelines regarding providing services to clients and patients (here is a link to the National Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics). 

Good resources for mental health information online include: The National Alliance on Mental Illness, The Anxiety and Depression Association of America, and The Mayo Clinic. Please reach out to Thrive Counseling if you are looking for therapy by trained providers. 

By Troy Weeldreyer, LCSW, MPH