Mental Health Advocate: Career Overview

Many Americans are affected by mental health issues. According to a 2025 Harris poll, 45% of surveyed individuals in the U.S. reported that they had sought help for mental health challenges in their lives. Unfortunately, 41% also reported feeling uncomfortable asking for professional help, and 84% believed that the term “mental illness” is associated with a stigma.

Professionals across the country address the pervasiveness of mental health challenges and the stigma surrounding those challenges in a variety of ways. Advocates for mental health work to improve the lives of others by promoting mental health and helping to ensure that people can access the mental health services they need.

Individuals who have been considering enrolling in a Master of Science in Clinical Psychology degree program and using their expertise in a meaningful way can benefit from exploring what mental health advocates do and how to enter the profession.

What Is a Mental Health Advocate?

Mental health advocates work to advance mental health, increase awareness about mental health, and implement or strengthen systems that support mental health.

The field of mental health is quite broad, so the responsibilities of mental health advocates can vary. For example, mental health advocates can be responsible for:

Raising awareness about the importance of good mental health and about specific mental health issues

Creating educational programs

Connecting individuals with the resources they need to address their mental health challenges

Working on initiatives to increase access to mental health services

Promoting mental health policies and legislation

Advocating for increased funding for mental health programs

Participating in programs that can improve the quality of mental health services

Mental health advocates can choose to focus on a specific aspect of mental health. For example, they can concentrate on:

Strengthening the mental health of children and youth

Expanding access to mental health services

Addressing specific issues in mental health, such as suicide prevention

Improving the collection of mental health data

Reducing discrimination associated with mental health issues

Where Mental Health Advocates Work

Mental health advocates work in a number of types of environments. For example, the types of organizations that employ mental health advocates include:

Nonprofit organizations

Private mental health organizations

Hospitals

Government agencies

Educational institutions

Mental Health Advocate Skills

Successful mental health advocates have strong skills in areas such as:

Oral and written communication

Ability to demonstrate compassion and empathy

Organization

Time management

Problem-solving

Ability to understand and navigate legislative and policy development processes

A Hispanic mental health professional listening to a caucasian patient

Requirements to Become a Mental Health Advocate

The steps below summarize the education and experience that individuals need to have to launch a career in mental health advocacy.

1. Complete a Bachelor’s Degree Program

Earning a bachelor’s degree in a discipline such as psychology, public health, counseling, or social work is important for acquiring fundamental skills and expertise that can be useful in working as a mental health advocate.

For example, taking the time to earn a psychology degree can enable individuals to build skills and expertise in areas such as:

Psychological concepts

Trends in psychological science

Interpersonal and intercultural awareness

Community engagement

Effective communication

2. Gain Relevant Experience

Gaining experience related to working in mental healthcare is valuable. For example, volunteering at a mental health center, crisis help line, or advocacy organization is a great way to gain experience. Individuals can also participate in fundraising campaigns related to mental health or serve as youth mentors at nonprofit organizations.

Gaining experience related to mental health can help individuals develop an understanding of mental health issues; it also can assist them in identifying the specific aspects of mental health they might want to focus on in their career in mental health advocacy.

3. Seek Training in Advocacy for Mental Health

Getting specific training in advocacy can help to strengthen an individual’s credentials. For instance, organizations such as the National Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health America offer training and workshops on advocacy in mental health.

4. Consider Earning a Graduate Degree

Earning a master’s degree in a relevant field is a good way for mental health advocates to acquire advanced expertise that can inform their advocacy efforts. For example, completing a Master of Science in Clinical Psychology degree program can enable individuals to acquire knowledge and skills in areas such as:

Diversity and cross-cultural issues

Neurophysiology

Psychopharmacology

Organizational management

Professional ethics and law

An African American man is seated on a couch while his African American female therapist consoles him

Mental Health Advocate Salary and Job Growth

According to projections from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment in community and social service occupations will grow much faster than employment across all occupations between 2024 and 2034.

Specific salary and job growth information for mental health advocates varies based on the area in which an individual works. For example, according to the BLS, as of May 2024:

Community health workers had a median annual salary of $51,030 and are projected to see 11% job growth between 2024 and 2034.

Health education specialists had a median annual salary of $63,000 and are projected to see 4% job growth between 2024 and 2034.

Social and community service managers had a median annual salary of $78,240 and are projected to see 6% job growth between 2024 and 2034.

Significant current issues affecting mental health services also point toward a continuing need for mental health advocates. According to the National Center for Health Workforce Analysis:

Factors such as the opioid epidemic and an increase in behavioral health issues among younger individuals have spurred higher demand for mental health services.

Stigma and the inability to pay continue to be significant barriers to obtaining mental health services.

As of August 2024, more than one-third of people in the U.S. live in areas with a shortage of mental health professionals.

Apply Your Education in Psychology to a Career in Mental Health Advocacy

Becoming part of the mental health movement is rewarding. It lets you use your skills and experience to make a lasting difference for people affected by mental illness. It also supports those seeking mental health help. Mental health advocates perform critical work that helps individuals receive the mental health services they need.

Those who are interested in furthering their education to work in mental health advocacy can explore the Master of Science in Clinical Psychology degree program that Notre Dame de Namur University offers to learn how it can help them reach their career goals. Offered online and in person, the program provides progressive training that focuses on contemporary mental health issues, and it can set the stage for a fulfilling career in the field of mental health.

Start working to achieve your career ambitions today by filling out the form below.

Recommended Readings

Is Psychology a Good Major?

Master of Arts vs. Master of Science: What’s the Difference?

Where Do Clinical Psychologists, Therapists, and Counselors Work

Sources:

Global Mental Health Action Network, Working Groups

The Harris Poll, “Mental Health Awareness Month: Key Findings on U.S. Attitudes and Barriers to Care”

IDONTMIND, “How to Become a Mental Health Advocate in 7 Steps”

Mental Health America, Mental Health America’s Hill Day

National Alliance on Mental Illness, NAMI Smarts for Advocacy

National Association of Social Workers, Mental Health Advocate Job Description