# Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers

> Assess and treat individuals with mental, emotional, or substance abuse problems, including abuse of alcohol, tobacco, and/or other drugs. Activities may include individual and group therapy, crisis intervention, case management, client advocacy, prevention, and education.

- Code: 21-1023.00 (O*NET-SOC; SOC 2018 21-1023)
- Family: [Community & Social Service](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations#family-21), one of its 18 occupations
- Tasks: 13 tasks (11 core and 2 supplemental)
- Page: https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/21-1023.00
- JSON: https://foundation.org.ai/data/tasks/21-1023.00.json

## What the work is made of

1. Counsel clients in individual or group sessions to assist them in dealing with substance abuse, mental or physical illness, poverty, unemployment, or physical abuse.  
   Core task · Task 273 · Rated by 69 people who do the job, August 2021
2. Collaborate with counselors, physicians, or nurses to plan or coordinate treatment, drawing on social work experience and patient needs.  
   Core task · Task 275 · Rated by 69 people who do the job, August 2021
3. Monitor, evaluate, and record client progress with respect to treatment goals.  
   Core task · Task 276 · Rated by 69 people who do the job, August 2021
4. Interview clients, review records, conduct assessments, or confer with other professionals to evaluate the mental or physical condition of clients or patients.  
   Core task · Task 18487 · Rated by 69 people who do the job, August 2021
5. Supervise or direct other workers who provide services to clients or patients.  
   Core task · Task 281 · Rated by 69 people who do the job, August 2021
6. Modify treatment plans according to changes in client status.  
   Core task · Task 279 · Rated by 69 people who do the job, August 2021
7. Assist clients in adhering to treatment plans, such as setting up appointments, arranging for transportation to appointments, or providing support.  
   Core task · Task 18489 · Rated by 69 people who do the job, August 2021
8. Educate clients or community members about mental or physical illness, abuse, medication, or available community resources.  
   Core task · Task 18488 · Rated by 69 people who do the job, August 2021
9. Counsel or aid family members to assist them in understanding, dealing with, or supporting the client or patient.  
   Core task · Task 278 · Rated by 69 people who do the job, August 2021
10. Increase social work knowledge by reviewing current literature, conducting social research, or attending seminars, training workshops, or classes.  
   Core task · Task 18490 · Rated by 69 people who do the job, August 2021
11. Refer patient, client, or family to community resources for housing or treatment to assist in recovery from mental or physical illness, following through to ensure service efficacy.  
   Core task · Task 277 · Rated by 69 people who do the job, August 2021
12. Plan or conduct programs to prevent substance abuse, combat social problems, or improve health or counseling services in community.  
   Supplemental task · Task 280 · Rated by 69 people who do the job, August 2021
13. Develop or advise on social policy or assist in community development.  
   Supplemental task · Task 282 · Rated by 69 people who do the job, August 2021

## More in Community & Social Service

- [Child, Family, and School Social Workers](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/21-1021.00): 21 tasks
- [Clergy](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/21-2011.00): 21 tasks
- [Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/21-1099.00): no tasks listed
- [Community Health Workers](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/21-1094.00): 28 tasks
- [Counselors, All Other](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/21-1019.00): no tasks listed
- [Directors, Religious Activities and Education](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/21-2021.00): 19 tasks
- [Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/21-1012.00): 35 tasks
- [Health Education Specialists](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/21-1091.00): 16 tasks
- [Healthcare Social Workers](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/21-1022.00): 17 tasks
- [Marriage and Family Therapists](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/21-1013.00): 15 tasks
- [Mental Health Counselors](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/21-1014.00): 27 tasks
- [Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/21-1092.00): 21 tasks
- [Rehabilitation Counselors](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/21-1015.00): 17 tasks
- [Religious Workers, All Other](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/21-2099.00): no tasks listed
- [Social and Human Service Assistants](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/21-1093.00): 19 tasks
- [Social Workers, All Other](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/21-1029.00): no tasks listed
- [Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselors](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/21-1011.00): 23 tasks

## Where this comes from

Quoted from O*NET 29.0, U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, under CC BY 4.0: free to copy and reuse, with credit. Nothing on this page is written by the Org.AI Foundation.