Mental health is a crucial part of overall health and wellbeing, impacting on how a person feels, thinks, behaves and relates to others. And, just as mental health is important to individuals and their families, it’s also an essential part of the health industry.
Chisholm Institute Mental Health and Counselling Teacher Lyn Brennan-Jesson says for those who work to assist those struggling with mental health conditions, it can be a very rewarding career. “With the advent of NDIS (National Disability Insurance Scheme) throughout Victoria, there are more roles for support workers becoming available throughout the sector,” Lyn says.
But, like with any career, not everyone will be suited to working in mental health. Lyn says it’s a great choice for people who have a “sense of compassion and empathy, and a desire to assist others that may be less fortunate”.
Does that sound like you? Here’s what you need to know about working in mental health:
What does working in mental health involve?
Regardless of which qualification you choose, as a mental health worker you’ll be making a difference to the day-to-day lives of people with a mental illness.
Lyn says community support workers may provide emotional, social and personal support to encourage self-confidence, independence and well-being. You could find yourself working with young people or the elderly, in a care facility or visiting clients at home.
What are the challenges?
Lyn says although the work can be very rewarding, it does have its challenges. “It can be challenging working with clients with complex needs, including co-morbidities of substance abuse and acquired brain injury,” she says.
What are the job opportunities like?
With one in five Australians suffering from mental illness each year, there is demand for mental health workers in the Healthcare and Social Assistance sector, which is Australia’s largest and fastest growing industry.
Lyn says the NDIS rollout has led to an increased demand for support workers to work one-on-one with those who have been diagnosed with mental illness, in their own homes. “Most of the opportunities with the Certificate IV are for support work, some of which can be offered by companies acting as an intermediary between the NDIS and the client,” she says. “They match the client to the worker.”
Courses and career pathways
The Certificate IV in Mental Health (CHC43315) can qualify you for roles such as community rehabilitation and support worker or mental health outreach worker. These are entry-level positions which may be performed one-on-one with the client in their own homes, or as a group facilitator at a centre-based or community-based location.
By gaining further qualifications, you can open up a world of other opportunities. “The Certificate IV in Mental Health has a pathway to the Diploma of Mental Health, which can then see career opportunities in lower to middle-management roles such as team Leaders, co-ordinators, and managers,” says Lyn.
Following on from the Diploma of Mental Health (CHC53315), you may also like to consider a Bachelor of Community Mental Health, Alcohol and Other Drugs (CRS1204285). This Bachelor degree can lead on to further study at a Masters or Graduate Certificate level, or positions such as welfare coordinator, and psychosocial rehabilitation worker.
The nature of the work means it can be quite flexible, Lyn says workers are often able to choose how many clients they take on, and their days and hours. “This can be a great benefit for new workers to gain experience in the field whilst still studying,” Lyn says.
