Mental Health Support Specialist Overview

Required Education and Training To Become a Mental Health Support Specialist

Best Schools to become a Mental Health Support Specialist in U.S. 2024

Liberty University

Lynchburg, VA

In-State Tuition:$15,467
Out-of-State Tuition:$15,467
Admission Rate:99%
Graduation Rate:66%
Total Enrollment:96,709

Grand Canyon University

Phoenix, AZ

In-State Tuition:$16,407
Out-of-State Tuition:$16,407
Admission Rate:78%
Graduation Rate:45%
Total Enrollment:101,816

Capella University

Minneapolis, MN

In-State Tuition:$14,328
Out-of-State Tuition:$14,328
Admission Rate:N/A
Graduation Rate:N/A
Total Enrollment:39,727

Walden University

Minneapolis, MN

In-State Tuition:$10,552
Out-of-State Tuition:$10,552
Admission Rate:N/A
Graduation Rate:N/A
Total Enrollment:42,312

Pepperdine University

Malibu, CA

In-State Tuition:$62,390
Out-of-State Tuition:$62,390
Admission Rate:49%
Graduation Rate:84%
Total Enrollment:10,030

Lamar University

Beaumont, TX

In-State Tuition:$6,228
Out-of-State Tuition:$16,020
Admission Rate:84%
Graduation Rate:38%
Total Enrollment:16,803
Mental Health Support Specialist Job Description:
  • Assist mentally impaired or emotionally disturbed patients, working under direction of nursing and medical staff.
  • May assist with daily living activities, lead patients in educational and recreational activities, or accompany patients to and from examinations and treatments.
  • May restrain violent patients.
  • Includes psychiatric orderlies.

Required Skills and Competencies To Become a Mental Health Support Specialist

Job Duties for Mental Health Support Specialists

  • Complete physical checks and monitor patients to detect unusual or harmful behavior and report observations to professional staff.

  • Listen and provide emotional support and encouragement to psychiatric patients.

  • Provide mentally impaired or emotionally disturbed patients with routine physical, emotional, psychological, or rehabilitation care under the direction of nursing or medical staff.

Technologies and Skills Used by Mental Health Support Specialists

Electronic mail software

  • Email software
  • Microsoft Outlook

Presentation software

  • Microsoft PowerPoint

Spreadsheet software

  • Microsoft Excel

Basic Skills

  • Keeping track of how well people and/or groups are doing in order to make improvements
  • Talking to others

Problem Solving

  • Noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it

Social

  • Looking for ways to help people
  • Understanding people's reactions

Current Job Market and Opportunites for a Mental Health Support Specialist

Additional Resources To Help You Become a Mental Health Support Specialist

FAQs About Becoming a Mental Health Support Specialist