• You get to help people when they need it most

• You can work in many different settings from people’s homes to hospitals

• Every day is different

• You work with a caring team

• You can keep learning new skills

• You’ll learn about and connect with local resources 

• Jobs in this field are growing fast in Ohio

This career can be challenging—but also inspiring and rewarding!

With a high school diploma/GED or higher: 

• Crisis Hotline Call Center Attendant

A crisis line Call Center Attendant answers phone calls, texts, or chats from people facing difficulties that need additional support. They listen without judging, help the person feel calm, and talk through what the person can do next. If needed, they connect the caller to more help or emergency services. Crisis Hotline Call Center Attendants follow up with the people who call to continue to be supportive and ensure they have access to the connections they might need to improve their situation. 

With a bachelor’s degree or higher: 

• Mobile Crisis Responder

A mobile crisis responder travels to wherever the person experiencing difficulties with their emotions, relationships, or life circumstances. They focus on a speedy and adequate response to people’s homes, schools, or public spaces to provide support at the right time and place. By actively listening and conducting a thoughtful assessment, they identify the most suitable next steps for the individual, guiding them toward ongoing counseling or making the needed referrals to a hospital. Their presence offers hope and empowers individuals to find the help they need when it matters most.

• Crisis Stabilization Team Member

A Crisis Stabilization Unit is a place where people can go for a short time when they are experiencing a mental health crisis. These units are safe and secure, but not as strict as a hospital or jail. The main goal of a Crisis Stabilization Unit is to help people feel better quickly and to support their return to the community. The team members in these units have different roles that focus on connecting with the people there, providing a safe environment, and planning for their discharge.

Many direct client care providers also work in crisis stabilization units.  [Learn more about Direct Client Care careers →]

With a master’s degree or higher:

• Crisis Therapist

A crisis therapist plays a vital role in helping people during mental health emergencies. This can include moments when someone is thinking about hurting themselves or others, or when their symptoms feel too overwhelming. They stay calm, listen carefully, and work quickly to make sure the person is safe. They also help create a recovery plan that offers support moving forward.

Crisis therapists often work together with law enforcement to make sure that those who need help get the right care. Depending on the situation, crisis response teams might include police officers, or they might send a two-person team without police to provide support. By teaming up, crisis therapists offer hope and help to those who are struggling.  [Learn more about Therapy careers →]

Other job titles you might see:

• Crisis Peer Supporter

• Crisis Case Manager

• Crisis Supervisor

• Alternative Response Worker 

• 988 Crisis Hotline Professional

You can work in many different roles depending on your interests and education.

• Talk with people to understand their stories.

• Help people find their calm when they are in a crisis.

• Make a plan to get them the help they need.

• Work with doctors, counselors, social service agencies and police officers.

• Advocate for people to get the right care at the right time.

These workers help people feel safe and start the path to getting better. 

• Hospitals and emergency rooms

• Mental health and community centers

• Mobile units that go to people in need where they are

• Schools and colleges

• Hotlines or call centers

• Crisis stabilization centers

They work wherever help is needed most!

• People with mental health or substance use emergencies

• Families and friends who need help 

• Doctors, nurses, and police, by working as a team

• Community groups that help with housing, food, and more

They don’t work alone—they’re part of a team that supports the whole person.

• You need a high school diploma or GED, lived experience with mental health or addiction, and training in peer support to work as a peer supporter in a crisis setting.

• A high school diploma or GED is needed to work at a crisis hotline. Training will be provided.

• Most crisis jobs need a college degree in something like psychology, counseling, or social work. 

• Clinical roles require a master’s degree in social work or counseling.

• Some jobs also need a license (this means you pass a test and follow special rules).

Although there are no crisis-specific credentials, specific roles require credentials or licensure:

• Certified Peer Supporters are certified by the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services.

• Health Officer certification is a designation by Alcohol, Drug Addiction, and Mental Health (ADAMH) Boards. To qualify you must be a licensed clinician (social worker, counselor, etc.) and have 5+ years in mental health, with extra training in crisis de-escalation and mental health every two years.

The following licenses are required for clinical positions and obtained from the Ohio Counselor, Social Work, and Marriage & Family Therapist Board: 

• Licensed Social Worker (LSW) and Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW)

• Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC)

• Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT) and Independent Marriage and Family Therapist (IMFT)

Click here to learn more about licenses, credentials, and certifications.