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The differences between lay health advocates and mental health associates can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a lay health advocate and a mental health associate. Additionally, a mental health associate has an average salary of $36,510, which is higher than the $35,126 average annual salary of a lay health advocate.
The top three skills for a lay health advocate include patients, social work and substance abuse. The most important skills for a mental health associate are patients, customer service, and vital signs.
| Lay Health Advocate | Mental Health Associate | |
| Yearly salary | $35,126 | $36,510 |
| Hourly rate | $16.89 | $17.55 |
| Growth rate | 12% | 9% |
| Number of jobs | 62,717 | 122,947 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 60% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| Average age | 43 | 45 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
A lay health advocate helps the patients prepare for medical appointments, update and organize physicians' information. After the medical appointments, a lay health advocate offers follow-up care services by monitoring patient conditions and ensuring they follow all treatment recommendations. They assist patients in scheduling additional appointments and arrange their medications. These professionals advise patients on the best ways to maintain control over medical care and prevent more medical issues like fall injuries.
As a mental health associate, you will assist the medical team members in diagnosing and treating individuals with mental, developmental, and behavioral conditions. You may be tasked to facilitate individual and group therapy sessions, help patients with their day-to-day activities such as self-care and hygiene, and assist in administering medications prescribed by physicians. Other duties include planning and leading program activities, attending treatment rounds, and assisting with the physical care of patients. The qualifications and skills required for this role include a bachelor's degree in social science or psychology, previous work experience, and certification on basic life support.
Lay health advocates and mental health associates have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Lay Health Advocate | Mental Health Associate | |
| Average salary | $35,126 | $36,510 |
| Salary range | Between $27,000 And $44,000 | Between $25,000 And $51,000 |
| Highest paying City | Johnston, RI | New York, NY |
| Highest paying state | New Hampshire | New York |
| Best paying company | NRDC | Columbia University in the City of New York |
| Best paying industry | Education | Professional |
There are a few differences between a lay health advocate and a mental health associate in terms of educational background:
| Lay Health Advocate | Mental Health Associate | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 60% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| Most common major | Psychology | Psychology |
| Most common college | Northwestern University | California State University - Long Beach |
Here are the differences between lay health advocates' and mental health associates' demographics:
| Lay Health Advocate | Mental Health Associate | |
| Average age | 43 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 25.9% Female, 74.1% | Male, 33.0% Female, 67.0% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 9.9% Unknown, 6.4% Hispanic or Latino, 20.2% Asian, 6.0% White, 56.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.3% | Black or African American, 7.9% Unknown, 6.2% Hispanic or Latino, 7.9% Asian, 3.1% White, 74.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% |
| LGBT Percentage | 21% | 15% |