With the ailing economy increasing job and money worries across the country, some counseling graduates are finding themselves in higher demand that ever before.

According to the Columbian, the current state of the nation's financial health is generating more stresses than many people can deal with - yet at the same time, many state and community programs do not have the resources to cope.

Marlene Burrows, a crisis line counselor who works with families facing difficulties paying the rent says graduates are needed as the number of referrals and calls increase.

In many cases, problems are linked financial situations and individuals can be dealing with issues such as being diagnosed with a mental health disorder or losing their health care after being laid off.

Others are just looking for a sympathetic ear during a time when according to a survey from the American Psychiatric Association, approximately half the population is worried about their job security and another 66% are concerned about the cost of keeping their home.

Figures from the Bureau of Labor Statistics show job prospects for counseling graduates are expected to be good the demand for qualified professionals currently outweighs supply.

In 2006, counselors held around 635,000 jobs in the US.