There are many things to weigh out as you consider whether to pursue a master’s degree in counseling. You may be asking yourself, is it worth it? That’s a fair question.
If you want to help people and make a difference in their lives, the answer is a definite yes. There’s no denying that getting a degree in counseling can be difficult at times; but, once you’ve completed the counseling master’s program, you could be on your way to saving the world!
Mental Health Issues are Increasing
The prevalence of mental health issues is increasing. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, 20% of adults in the United States will experience issues surrounding mental health each year. Five percent of U.S. adults have ongoing, serious mental conditions.
Mental health is a growing concern for children and adolescents as well. The National Alliance on Mental Illness reports that 17% of U.S. youth aged 6-17 experience a mental health disorder each year. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), more than 33% of high school students experienced persistent feelings of hopelessness or sadness in 2019, a 40% increase since 2009.
According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, half of all mental health conditions start before the age of 14, and 75% by the age of 24. Unfortunately, scores of these cases go undetected and untreated. Many mental health issues such as ADHD, depression, and anxiety often become more serious over time. Sadly, suicide is the second leading cause of death among the 10-34 age group.
As a counselor, you can make a difference in the lives of people who desperately need someone to really hear what they have to say.
Mental Health Issues Have Worsened During the Pandemic
Mental health issues have worsened across all age groups since the onset of COVID-19. In one survey, 31% of respondents indicated they were experiencing depression or anxiety, 26% felt stress-related symptoms, 13% began or increased their use of alcohol or drugs, and 11% experienced serious thoughts of suicide in the past 30 days. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, these numbers are double what was reported pre-COVID.
According to a report released by the CDC, the pandemic has resulted in a 31% increase in kids’ emergency room visits due to mental health challenges. Suicide rates for kids 10-14 years of age have tripled.
Domestic violence incidences have increased in the U.S. by 8.1% since the beginning of the pandemic. During the early part of the pandemic, mental health-related visits to the ER increased approximately 24% for children between the ages of five and eleven and approximately 31% for adolescents between the ages of 12 and 17.
The Dark Side of Social Media
Social media has become even more popular with the onset of COVID-19. It allows people to communicate and stay in touch with others, despite the physical restrictions imposed by the pandemic. Social media, however, has a dark side. Pediatrics®, an official Journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics, lists many negative aspects related to social media:
Social media makes it easy to create a false reality or even a false identity. Social media makes it easy to say whatever you want without having to deal with the consequences, thereby, making it easy to be a bully. Individuals who are easy targets will be negatively impacted in serious ways, creating sometimes dangerous mental health ramifications.
World Mental Health Day
What began as an unnamed annual activity for the World Federation for Mental Health, World Mental Health Day has grown into a movement and has been observed every year on October 10th since 1992. The goal of World Mental Health Day is to promote worldwide mental health advocacy and to educate the public about issues associated with mental illness.
This year’s theme and slogan, “Mental health care for all: let’s make it a reality,” came to life in light of the major impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on people’s mental health around the world. To showcase the meaning of the day and demonstrate to others that there is cause for optimism, individuals are encouraged to highlight positive stories on social media using hashtag #WorldMentalHealthDay, as an inspiration to others.
Encouraging everyone to make mental health a priority every day, Counseling Space, P.C. offers valuable tips to celebrate World Mental Health Day. Some of these include:
7 Ways You’re Saving the World by Getting a Master’s Degree in Counseling
It’s evident people are suffering ... that they need someone to talk to. Let’s look now at how that someone could be you after having received a master’s degree in counseling.
1. CounselorsReally Listen
Counselors listen to every word, and unlike friends, they’re not waiting for someone to finish talking so that they can share their opinions. Professional counselors want their clients to share their feelings, and they listen without judging.
Counselors rarely know the family or friends of their clients; therefore, they aren’t concerned with anyone else’s feelings but that of their clients.
No matter how logical or illogical a person's feelings may be, counselors give clients the right to have those emotions.
Counselors provide a safe place to “lay it all out.” Once it’s out, they have the training required to help their clients sort through and deal with whatever issues/problems they may have. Although sharing feelings with friends can help, a counselor possesses the skills and knowledge to help clients process their emotions more effectively.
When someone is physically ill, they see a doctor. Mental illness is no different. Sometimes a person needs professional help to overcome what ails them, whether mental or physical, before they can begin the healing process. They cannot do it on their own.
Counselors have been trained to deal with life’s issues, and they have dedicated their lives to helping others as a counselor. It’s in their nature to genuinely care for the well-being of others.
After listening to everything a person has to say, counselors help them understand why they feel the way they do. They are trained to provide a person with the steps needed to improve their lives.
Counselors have dedicated their lives to helping others. They give clients a place to really be heard, and they work with clients to find the best answer for any given situation, issue, or problem.
Become a Hero with a Master’s in Counseling at Geneva
People just want to be happy, and some will need a counselor to help them. Just imagine what it would be like to assist individuals and groups of people in finding ways to help themselves. Just imagine seeing the “lightbulb” go off in their minds as they realize how to do something differently and how that will make a difference and bring healing and transformation into their lives. If you think counseling is a good major for you, Geneva College will help you succeed through our exceptional educational program. To learn more about how to become a counselor in our graduate counseling program, contact us at 855-979-5563 or web@geneva.edu.
Opinions expressed in the Geneva Blog are those of its contributors and do not necessarily represent the opinions or official position of the College. The Geneva Blog is a place for faculty and contributing writers to express points of view, academic insights, and contribute to national conversations to spark thought, conversation, and the pursuit of truth, in line with our philosophy as a Christian, liberal arts institution.
Oct 14, 2021
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