Last Updated on December 26, 2024

You have been seeking support. And you understand how important mental health is to a person. However, choosing the right mental health support is not as simple as you would think. How and where do you begin?

You may be conversant with the terms such as clinical counsellors, social workers and therapists. Similarly, in some situations, these professionals may be colloquially referred to as mentors, life coaches and coaches. Which professional is most suited for you? How do you choose the best individual or organization to improve your mental health?

Whether you are a team lead looking for new team-building ideas or an individual who is actively searching for any form of mental health support, keep on reading this article, and you will learn the real difference among these individuals or practitioners.

who are considered mental health professionals?

licensed individuals

In order for a social work graduate to practice (i.e., providing therapeutic services) in Ontario, Canada, for instance, becoming a registered social worker would be the first step. Nevertheless, how to become a licensed social worker depends on the criteria outlined by the local regulatory bodies. These bodies act as government agencies or public organizations by law from the government (the Government of British Columbia, 2024).

In short, a licensed mental health professional is equipped with relevant knowledge and credentials (e.g., a BA, and MA in allied health disciplines) that are verified by one or more regulatory bodies. These individuals are regulated and can only offer therapeutic services within the local area(s). For example, if a registered counsellor is based in Alberta, Canada, this individual may not be able to provide (therapeutic) services to British Columbians.

non-licensed individuals

On the other hand, a non-licensed individual may have similar credentials to a licensed individual. These individuals may offer therapeutic and/or non-therapeutic services based on the settings and job requirements.

For example, a licensed individual usually works in a regional hospital, and works as an EAP (Employee Assistance Program) counsellor or school counsellor, whereas a non-licensed individual can work in other settings instead of hospitals or any highly regulated environments.

That said, a non-licensed mental health professional holding one or more degrees/certificates in allied health disciplines may work in the following settings:

• Social services
• Government offices
• Educational institutions
• Non-regulated coaching or consulting services

the other type of mental health service providers

These service providers are individuals (or incorporated one-person companies), who may not have relevant degrees, training and/or direct experiences working with vulnerable populations and underrepresented groups. In other words, they are not considered mental health professionals.

Since 2020, the “online coaching/consulting industry” has been growing exponentially resulting from temporary or permanent layoffs due to supply-demand imbalances. Many believed becoming a coach could reach a better work/life balance. According to a 2024 BBC news article, the International Coaching Federation revealed that life coaching is a billion-dollar market; and between 2019 and 2022, there was a significant increase (54%) in the life coaching industry in the US. 

Advising other individuals or business owners/leaders has opened new doors. Anyone can refer to themselves as a coach, and start a career without any geographical restrictions and regulations.

Types of Mental Health Support options for adults

Mental health support encompasses formal and informal support, ranging from free emotional support to costly targeted professional treatments:

1. Personal support system

You may receive mental health support from family members, friends and/or loved ones. Having a night out, going on a weekend retreat or getaway (i.e., temporary pleasures) or any other meaningful social gathering certainly can improve your mental health.

2. Community/social support system

• Sign up for free online or in-person support groups hosted by individuals or organizations (e.g., charities and nonprofit organizations)
• Join relevant faith support groups
• Attend low-cost support groups organized by mental health professionals for emotional support or educational/informational purposes
• Seek mental health support from either mental health professionals or non-mental health professionals, who are life coaches, yet pricing varies

3. Government support system

If you are granted formal status from your local government, you may receive support from social services workers, registered social workers, community support workers, etc. for free. However, the source of income of the organizations providing such support often comes from government grants and funding, which are subject to the local government’s annual budgets. This type of support has its limitations. Therefore, you may still need other support systems listed above.

4. counselling services (Private Practice)

While some individuals may receive temporary mental health support from a counsellor free of charge through referral under certain circumstances, in most instances, only those who have the ability to consistently visit the high-priced mental health support from a licensed professional would seek such support.

choose the Mental Health Support you need the most

For individuals

You may be a worker, a leader of a company, a stay-at-home parent, a grandparent, a newbie, a fresh graduate or still trying to figure out your life and career. Regardless of your roles, genders or age, as an adult, you may feel stressed and emotionally drained to some extent. That’s when you need mental health support.

From the financial perspective

Building trust and establishing a new relationship is hard work. You want to make sure you spend your money wisely. Unless you’re certain the person you are paying for is indeed going to help you achieve your goal; otherwise, reach out to those who offer free consultations, and go from there. It is your life and your decision. You need to be able to trust the person you are working with to maximize the results.

from the holistic perspective

Mental health is not mental illness because mental health is a part of a person’s overall well-being. From the holistic perspective, solutions can come from various sources. For instance, if your back pain is caused by your desk job, it would be more realistic to visit a registered massage therapist or a physiotherapist instead of a psychologist. However, if your back pain is caused by your desk job, and the reason for your continued suffering is your lack of motivation to start exercising, then it would be helpful to visit a mental health professional.

for the management team

Whether or not you have a full-time or contract EAP counsellor, providing consistent mental health training to hard-working team members decreases employee burnout and increases job performance in the long run.

From the digital-first Environment perspective

Although advanced AI technology (or technology in general) plays an important role in the modern workplace, every business is operated by one or more humans. AI and machines can certainly help with time-consuming tasks, like assisting businesses in booking appointments. Despite that, they can never replace the values a human can add to a task. “Human potential” is, unfortunately, often undervalued. This is why offering professional growth opportunities, such as human skills training and technical skills training (upskilling), can not only increase employee retention but productivity, resulting in better customer satisfaction.

From the financial perspective

The most lucrative businesses today were once unrecognized and undervalued. It takes time and effort to introduce something new to the market. You may already know business’s financial health determines its future. Indeed, from a financial standpoint, a business would need sufficient funds to continue to exist. But did you know it can cost US$4700 to hire a new employee according to the Society for Human Resource Management (Mueller, 2024)? That is, your people are key to a healthy and prosperous business.

Lyubykh and Gulseren (2023) indicated workers that browsing social media during work breaks can result in creative reductionism based on a 2016 research study. Learning how your employee takes breaks – how your money is spent – at work may help your business thrive in the right direction.

From providing team gatherings (e.g., a 30-minute mindfulness Monday) to engaging and educational one-hour training weekly or monthly, these small gestures are the types of mental health support that have significant impacts on a person’s overall well-being.

The right mental support will change your life

Adulting is tough. You are not a superhuman, nor do you need to be one. Emotion exhaustion comes from feeling emotionally drained, and this can occur to you at any point in your life regardless of your age, social status, gender and income level.

A 2019 study (revised in 2023), “Does Employee Happiness have an Impact on Productivity?“, indicated an increase in happiness leads to an increase of approximately 30% in sales among call center workers. When the management team actively plays a part in improving team members’ mental health, this increases not only job satisfaction but also employee productivity.

Spending more money on corporate training doesn’t guarantee positive results. Working with a licensed mental health professional, like a counsellor or a psychologist doesn’t always ameliorate your situation and certainly cannot save your marriage. However, choosing the right mental support will empower you to make the right decisions for yourself or your team.

References

The Government of British Columbia. (2024, June 10). Professional regulatory authorities. https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/governments/organizational-structure/ministries-organizations/regulatory-authorities

Bishop, K. (2024, February 7). The seedy underbelly of the life coaching industry. BBC News. https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20240206-life-coaching-industry-scams

Mueller, A. (2024, April 30). The Cost of Hiring a New Employee. Investopedia. https://www.investopedia.com/financial-edge/0711/the-cost-of-hiring-a-new-employee.aspx

Lyubykh, Z. & Gulseren, D.B. (2023, May 31). How to Take Better Breaks at Work, According to Research. Harvard Business Review. https://hbr.org/2023/05/how-to-take-better-breaks-at-work-according-to-research

Bellet, C, De Neve, J. & Ward, G. (2023, April 25). Does Employee Happiness have an Impact on Productivity? Saïd Business School WP 2019-13. https://ssrn.com/abstract=3470734