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The differences between lay health advocates and mental health specialists 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 specialist. Additionally, a mental health specialist has an average salary of $47,321, 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 specialist are patients, social work, and rehabilitation.
| Lay Health Advocate | Mental Health Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $35,126 | $47,321 |
| Hourly rate | $16.89 | $22.75 |
| Growth rate | 12% | 9% |
| Number of jobs | 62,717 | 131,449 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 60% | Bachelor's Degree, 62% |
| 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.
A mental health specialist is responsible for evaluating a patient's mental health condition and develop appropriate treatment plans to help the patients cope up with their mental difficulties. Mental health specialists provide counseling to the patients, listening to their situation, and responding with the utmost consideration. They also create regular progress reports and medical charts to monitor ongoing medication, updating treatment plans as needed. A mental health specialist must have excellent communication and organization skills, helping the patients deal with their mental stress and return to a healthy lifestyle.
Lay health advocates and mental health specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Lay Health Advocate | Mental Health Specialist | |
| Average salary | $35,126 | $47,321 |
| Salary range | Between $27,000 And $44,000 | Between $31,000 And $71,000 |
| Highest paying City | Johnston, RI | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | New Hampshire | California |
| Best paying company | NRDC | Research Foundation For Mental Hygiene Inc |
| Best paying industry | Education | Government |
There are a few differences between a lay health advocate and a mental health specialist in terms of educational background:
| Lay Health Advocate | Mental Health Specialist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 60% | Bachelor's Degree, 62% |
| 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 specialists' demographics:
| Lay Health Advocate | Mental Health Specialist | |
| Average age | 43 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 25.9% Female, 74.1% | Male, 32.9% Female, 67.1% |
| 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% |