I am going back to school, is there a need for mental health workers? What degree is necessary to get a job?

Are certificate programs, and associates degee program, sufficient to land a job in the mental health or substance abuse fields? What training do you suggest I get. I would like answers from persons already in the field. I would also like to hear from recent graduates. I would like to know has it been hard to find work, or are you still looking. Let me know any thing you think might help me make my decision about a career in mental health or substance abuse.

There are many jobs in the mental health field. Depending on what specifics you are wanting to work with, you can get a pretty good job with a Bachelors degree. But to get the best jobs it takes a Masters or PHD.
There are Master programs for counseling, psychology, and sociology.
You will have to work your way up. To get hired not only takes a degree but also experience. So if a job comes open where you can get some experience with the mental health, try it. The more experience in this field, the more likely you are to get a good job.
Look for jobs in the prisons, hospitals, and group homes. Just remember it might take a few years (while you are climbing that ladder) to get a good job.
I have learned you need the degree and then plenty of experience to push you up for the right job. It took a degree and a couple years experience and now I'm at a job I love. Also try to get some internships working with the mental health field, Good luck and hopefully you will land a great job!!~~~~~~~~~~

Mental health is an always developing field - especially in area of substance abuse. Due to the current state of affairs in the world many people are coming back from the war in Iraq and Afghanistan and are in need of mental health attention. Look for possible job shadow oppurtunities with the VA Hospital System!

There is always a need for workers in this field. To be a counselor you will need a Masters in Social Work or Psychology.