A national study of associate degree mental health and human services workers

A random sample of 140 graduates of associate degree mental health/human services programs were studied to determine their work activities, adequacy of work performance, and job satisfaction. Seventy-seven percent were employed in relevant human services jobs. On site interviews with these workers and their supervisors revealed that they were performing virtually the entire range of traditional mental health service functions and performing them well. A majority were satisfied with their work, although low salary levels and restricted opportunities for future advancement were recognized as problems. Many were receiving little supervision and the user agencies had, for the most part, not developed appropriate in-service training programs. The findings appear very supportive to the notion that the mental health associate is a valuable new source of manpower for the mental health/human services field.