Mental Health is an important aspect of humanity. It revolves around the well-being of man, as the mind is the center of action. In a country as busy as Canada, the state of one’s mental health has to be checked regularly, as the busy lifestyle can adversely affect one’s mental health.
This gives healthcare professionals an opportunity for leverage, making Canada a thriving place for healthcare services.
This article focuses on 10 Mental health jobs in Canada you can explore to gain real-life experience, enhance your expertise, earn a competitive salary, and advance your medical career.
Are Mental Health Jobs in Canada a Thriving Opportunity?
A study by Statistics Canada revealed that there were approximately 19,500 psychologists in the country as of 2021. At the same time, the population climbed to over thirty-eight million in the same year, making mental health services only accessible to a lesser percentage of the population.
The rate at which Canadians require mental health services has also increased over the years. Nearly one in every five children above the age of 12 and older has reported a need for a mental health service—according to Statistics Canada.
Furthermore, according to the Canadian Institute for Health Information, the waiting time for a patient to receive attention takes an average of 22 days due to the smaller number of community mental health counselors.
A Saskatchewan Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist, Dr. Tamara Hinz, said, “Even if the entire waitlist was erased magically as of today, it wouldn’t take so long for us to start behind again simply because we have been unable to keep up with the ongoing demand.”
This reveals that the demand for mental health services is high, but there are limited health workers.
If you are enthusiastic about mental health or are a practicing health professional, mental health jobs in Canada are a lucrative sector to explore due to their high demand, competitive salary, and rewarding social impact.
What are the Top 10 Mental Health Jobs in Canada?
Here are 10 Mental health job opportunities that are highly demanded in Canada. The list includes a breakdown of the job’s National Occupational Classification (NOC), description, employment requirements, wages, Province in Demand, and competencies (skills).
10. Addiction Social Worker (NOC 41300)
Addiction social workers provide therapy and counseling to individuals, groups, or families suffering from substance abuse. They are responsible for arranging and coordinating mental health services for addicts.
Employment Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree in any health or social field.
- Successful completion of provincial written and oral examinations
- Registration with a regulatory body recognized in the province of employment.
Wages:
An average of $53,666 per annum.
Province in Demand:
Mental health jobs in Canada, especially Addiction Social Workers, are in high demand in Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Yukon Territory, Saskatchewan, and Quebec.
Competencies:
Oral communication: active listening, Oral comprehension, oral expression, Social perceptiveness, Time Management, and Persuasiveness.
9. Mental Health Worker (NOC 42201)
They are community and social workers who administer various social programs to help clients with their personal, mental, or social issues.
Employment Requirements:
- College or University degree in psychology, social science, or health-related discipline.
- Professional certification and licensing.
Wages:
An average of $56,516 per annum.
Province in Demand:
Mental health jobs in Canada, especially Mental Health Workers, are in high demand in the Yukon Territory, Manitoba, Quebec, and Nova Scotia.
Competencies:
Social Perceptiveness, Coordination, Stress Tolerance, Social Orientation, and Time Management.
8. Behavioural Therapist (NOC 41301)
Behavioral Therapists believe every behavior can be learned, unlearned, and/or changed, as the case may be. This includes mental health disorders, too. They specialize in helping individuals identify unhealthy behaviors and administer programs to help them change that.
Employment Requirements:
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Counselling, mental health, psychology, or related social service field.
- Registration with the College of Licensed Counselling Therapists is required in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.
- Employer-specific work permit or the Canadian work permit.
Wage:
An average of $61,482 per annum.
Province in Demand:
Mental health jobs in Canada, especially Behavioral Therapists, are in high demand in the Yukon Territory, Ontario, and Quebec.
Competencies:
Active listening, Persuasive, Social perceptiveness, Oral expression, and oral comprehension.
7. Mental Health Nurse (NOC 31301)
Registered mental health nurses deliver programs centered on health education through medical outreaches, attend to patients, and make some consultative services possible as they pertain to mental health nursing.
Employment Requirements:
- Successful completion of a college or university’s registered nursing program.
- Master’s or doctorate in Nursing.
- Registration with a regulatory body recognized by the province of employment.
Wages:
An average of $80,276 per annum.
Province in Demand:
Mental health jobs in Canada, especially those of Child Psychologists, are in high demand in Manitoba, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Yukon Territory, Saskatchewan, and Ontario.
Competencies:
Social Perceptiveness, Persuasiveness, Stress tolerance, Coordination, and Oral communication skills.
6. Mental Health Counsellor (NOC 41301)
Another mental health job in Canada to find is mental health counseling. Mental health counselors are therapists who specialize in helping individuals identify, understand, and overcome personal problems threatening their mental health and achieve an objective. They also practice psychotherapy.
Employment Requirements:
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Counselling, mental health, psychology, or related social service field.
- Registration with the College of Licensed Counselling Therapists is required in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.
- Employer’s work permit or the general Canadian work permit.
Wages:
An average of $81,761 per annum.
Province in Demand:
Mental health jobs in Canada, especially those of Mental Health Counselors, are in high demand in the Yukon Territory, Quebec, and Ontario.
5. Consultant, Mental Health Programs (NOC 41404)
These are health policy researchers, program officers, and consultants. They conduct research, create impactful healthcare policies and programs based on the research, and produce reports. They are employed by government and non-governmental organizations, research institutes, and consulting establishments.
Employment Requirements:
- College diploma or bachelor’s degree in public administration, health sciences, hospital administration, or any related health or social science field.
Wages:
An average of $82,542 per annum.
Province in Demand:
Mental health jobs in Canada, especially those of Mental Health Researchers, are in high demand in Alberta, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Quebec, Saskatchewan, and the Yukon Territory.
Competencies:
Digital literacy, Reading comprehension, Evaluation, and oral communication skills.
4. Occupational Therapist (NOC 31203)
Occupational therapists are responsible for maintaining or enhancing individuals suffering from developmental disorders and psychological or emotional problems by developing programs that can restore or increase their ability to care for themselves and engage in school, work, or leisure.
Employment Requirements:
- University degree in Occupational therapy.
- Successful completion of provincial examinations and certification.
- Registration with a regulatory body such as the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists.
Wages:
An average of $82,649 per annum.
Province in Demand:
Mental health jobs in Canada, especially Occupational Therapy, are in high demand in Ontario, Quebec, Saskatchewan, New Brunswick, Manitoba, and Nova Scotia.
Competencies:
System analysis, Evaluation, Social perceptiveness, and oral communication skills.
3. Psychologist (NOC 31200)
Psychologists assess and diagnose emotional, behavioral, and cognitive disorders. They then work to help patients enhance their psychological, intellectual, interpersonal, physical, and social functioning.
Employment Requirements:
- Master’s or Doctorate in Psychology.
- Completion of Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP).
- Registration with a regulatory body, such as the College of Psychology, recognized by the province.
- Canadian work permit or Employer’s work permit.
Wages:
An average of $103,142 per annum
Province in Demand:
Mental health jobs in Canada, especially Psychologists, are in high demand in Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, and Saskatchewan.
Competencies:
Oral Communication Skills include oral expression, comprehension, active listening, Learning and Teaching Strategies, Persuasiveness, and Social perceptiveness.
2. Child Psychologist (NOC 31200)
A child psychologist specializes in providing children and adolescents with psychological evaluation and other forms of therapy to help them live a better life as it pertains to mental health conditions.
Employment Requirements:
- Master’s or Doctorate in Psychology.
- Completion of Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP).
- Registration with a regulatory body, such as the College of Psychology, recognized by the province.
- Canadian work permit or Employer’s work permit.
Wages:
An average of $109,676 per annum.
Province in Demand:
Mental health jobs in Canada, especially those of Child Psychologists, are in high demand in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Quebec, and Ontario.
Competencies:
Analytic evaluation, Playfulness, and Oral communication skills, such as Active listening, oral expression, and comprehension.
1. Psychiatrist (NOC 31100)
The role of a psychiatrist in mental health is to assess the mental and physical aspects of a patient’s psychological problem. Also, a psychiatrist is a medical doctor specializing in handling substance use disorder management. A psychiatrist conducts psychotherapy and prescribes medications.
Employment Requirements:
- Bachelor’s Degree from a university study (Master’s Degree and/or Doctorate (Ph.D) would increase employability).
- Completion of the certifying examinations of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.
- Licensing and Professional Certification.
Employment Requirements in Quebec:
- One year of pre-medical university studies.
- All are listed above.
Wages:
Wages vary by province due to their economic level. However, the annual median wage of a psychiatrist is $250,012.
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Province in Demand:
Mental health jobs in Canada, especially Psychiatrists, are in high demand in Quebec, Saskatchewan, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Manitoba.
Competencies:
Oral Communication: active listening, oral expression and comprehension, social perceptiveness, and critical thinking.
How can I secure mental health jobs in Canada?
There are several ways to achieve this, but you must pay attention to the principle of the first.
To get mental health jobs in Canada, you need to:
1. Obtain a degree in your field of interest
Look for a field of your interest and be certified in it. The more you further a course in this pursuit, the higher your chances of employment.
NOTICE: If you desire to immigrate to Canada in the long run, you can take advantage of this and study in a Canadian Institution. It will boost your CRS score, as you will gain educational certification for registering for your Express Entry program.
2. Obtain a work permit
This will enable you to work anywhere in Canada.
Alternatively, you could use an employer-specific work permit. In this case, you cannot work anywhere other than the employer’s company.
3. Start your job search process
After obtaining a Canadian work permit, it is time to begin the employment process. You can use corporate platforms like LinkedIn to network with top mental health professionals.
You could pitch your services to them after carefully following and realizing their pain point regarding mental health services.
4. Get professional certification and licensing
Professional certification and licensing vary from province to province in Canada. Obtain a certification recognized by your desired province’s regulatory body.
This allows you to sign up for membership in relevant associations, such as the Canadian Association of Social Workers (CASW).
This will present you with opportunities not announced to the general public. As a first hearer of the news, you can easily take advantage of them.
5. Apply for a Volunteering or Internship role.
The hands-on experience you get from this position can also be work experience in your resume. Aside from this, the experience will make you more familiar with real-life situations and boost your confidence when faced with similar occurrences.
Conclusion
Canada is a thriving place for mental health services. Taking advantage of these mental health jobs in Canada mentioned in this article allows you to explore and practice your medical expertise and advance your career.
Frequently Asked Questions
Securing any job can take a few months to one year or more. The important thing is gathering all the necessary documents, skill sets, and qualifications to function optimally.
One limiting factor that can hinder your access to a job in Canada is not having a work permit. Without this document, you cannot work anywhere in Canada.
Yes, you can offer your mental health services as a non-citizen. So far, you have been certified by a recognized body in the country and can practice freely.
The statistics of mental health workers, in general, reveal a very wide gap. This accounts for why there is a longer waiting time (an average of 22 days) before individuals suffering a mental health issue get attended to.
A psychiatrist is mostly involved in offering mental health services. A psychiatrist runs diagnoses, treats mental illness, counsels, and prescribes drugs.
