The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that the United States (especially its youth) is in a mental health crisis. Statistics reveal that among US high school students in 2023, 40% reported persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness.
This crisis is also being impacted by the healthcare workforce shortage. As of March 2023, 160 million Americans live in areas with mental health professional shortages. These professionals, like counselors, are key to managing mental health conditions.
In recent years, advancements have been made in technology and treatment methods used in the mental health sector. For example, the rise of remote counseling sessions. These advancements will be crucial for addressing the crisis and mitigating its impact.
For students pursuing a career in mental health, such as through Walsh counseling programs, these courses may teach them about these new techniques and advancements. It can help prepare them for the crisis and fully equip them for their professional lives.
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The mental health crisis
According to a 2022 survey conducted by the Kaiser Family Foundation and CNN, 90% of the public thinks there is a mental health crisis in the United States today. One-third of respondents also report that they could not access mental health services when needed.
The American Psychological Association reports that, along with a shortage of mental health providers, the nation is also facing a lack of public health resources and equity issues. This crisis is driving up the demand for mental health services and investment in digital therapeutics.
Especially in areas facing a shortage of psychologists or therapists, counselors can play a crucial role in providing alternative care. While their scope of practice may be limited to other mental health professions, they are often more affordable and accessible.
Recent innovations in technology have also been crucial in shaping the next generation of counselors and in combating the mental health crisis. Digital therapeutics has significant potential to enable mental health care providers to expand their care and aid more patients.
For example, telehealth technology allows counselors to host sessions and deliver their services through either a phone call or a video call. This can allow them to provide counselling sessions beyond their local community, even from across the country.
The importance of counselors
Counselors play a crucial role in the healthcare system, providing mental health support to individuals, families, and communities. They do this through providing a safe and confidential space where clients can address their mental health concerns and learn techniques and strategies for management.
Statistics show that in 2021, about 42 million people received treatment or counseling for their mental health. Counseling is a proven form of talk therapy that can aid in treating mental health conditions, such as depression and anxiety.
Counselors also make up a significant portion of the mental health care workforce, and the occupation is expected to grow faster than average over the next decade. This can make it an attractive career pathway, as demand is on the rise.
As the healthcare workforce shortage worsens, the demand for counselors is only going to rise. It’ll be easier and quicker to fill positions for counseling compared to other roles that require postgraduate qualifications, such as a clinical psychologist.
How innovation is shaping the future
The future of the counselor profession is being molded by emerging technologies. For example, online counseling via telehealth platforms has exploded in use and popularity since the COVID-19 pandemic.
These new technologies are so crucial to the future of the profession that they are being included in coursework. Many formal counseling courses now cover aspects of telehealth, including delivery, ethical considerations, and how to best leverage the technology.
Mental health professionals are also exploring virtual reality (VR) as a clinical tool for research and practice. This is because it can facilitate immersive and interactive worlds that are fully controlled by the healthcare provider, increasing personalization and engagement of treatment.
VR technology can also be useful for recreating environments and experiences to facilitate exposure therapy. One study has found that VR can enhance the effects of traditional therapeutics and enable all-new treatment approaches that were previously thought to be impossible.
The rise of self-care apps is also changing the mental health sector. It is becoming common for many professionals to recommend the use of applications such as Finch and Calm for clients or patients looking for an affordable way to gamify and monitor their mental health.
Advantages of these mobile apps include:
- Convenience: Mental health-related apps allow for the delivery of mental health treatment anywhere, anytime—whenever is most convenient for the user. This can be particularly useful when dealing with the wait times between appointments with a professional.
- Affordability: Many mental health-related apps are either free or feature low-cost purchases to access features. They are usually cheaper than traditional in-person care and are particularly useful to help bridge the equity gap in areas facing a shortage of mental health professionals.
- Increased engagement: Mental health-related apps, especially those designed to gamify thoughts and behaviors, can increase engagement and encourage people to actively engage in mental health treatment.
- 24-hour service: Because these mobile apps are accessible anytime, anywhere, they provide a key benefit that is not available in most parts of the United States—24-hour access to care.
The future of counseling is undergoing a revolution, transforming the profession through new technologies and advancements in the field.
For anyone considering a career as a counselor, staying up to date with these advancements is the key to providing quality care and addressing the nation’s ongoing mental health crisis.
