DMH services can be a great stepping stone for anyone towards a better life.

DMH services can be a great stepping stone for anyone towards a better life.

Peer Post 1: I think DMH services can be a great stepping stone for anyone towards a better life. I do believe, if someone ever needed services, it was only a matter of time before they found the best one for them. I would like to work for DMH. I think it would be a good place to start if I wanted to market myself or branch off to a new population. Watching the video of a person coming from a third-world background and their ability to turn their life around with the help of DMH is truly inspiring. I think it was amazing to see that help Apl.de.ap had received led to massive changes in his home country. I would love to work for DMH knowing I can be a part of change in someone’s life, whether it is big or small.

A few DMH contracted agencies that had online postings was for a Mental Health Clinician I ACSW/AMFT for the San Fernando Community Mental Health Center, a Clinical Therapist (ACSW, AMFT, APCC) for Prototypes OBHS, and a Mental Health Clinician/Therapist/AMFT/LPCC at BRIDGES, Inc. All these positions were found on Indeed. Just looking at the titles of each job, I instantly think they’re all the same. Looking at the descriptions of each, they all are fairly similar to one another. I can say with confidence that it does look like a lot of work but something that I am definitely will to learn how to do and continue practicing. For the job listing directly from the DMH site, I wasn’t sure exactly where to look. I didn’t want to not answer that last part as I did not want it to seem like I overlooked it. If anyone has found anything on there, let me know if I am missing anything. Thanks!

Peer Post 2: After exploring the DMH website, I was amazed by how many resources they provide for people of all ages and with different severity levels (outpatient, IMD facilities, FSP, TAY, RRR, and PEI). Since I have worked for a DMH contracted agency, I know how much work it entails, how heavy the caseloads can be, and how high the standards can be when it comes to things such as assessments and documentation. While this can lead to burnout, it is also a great way to gain experience and learn about all the community resources available to help those living with mental health disorders. Below I have included the salaries for associate MFTs at different DMH contracted agencies as well as one for DMH mental health clinicians. One of my impressions from this research is how much significantly lower the salaries are for those working in DMH contracted agencies in comparison to those working for DMH. However, knowing how severe many of the cases the clinicians receive in DMH and how overworked they are, I’m not sure that it would be an agency I would want to work in for a long time.

MHALA: $50,340

The Guidance Center: $58,240

Tessie Cleveland Community Services $66,000

DMH: Mental health Clinician I: $67,554.60- $83,925.84