Mental health problems are on the rise and there is a growing demand for mental health professionals, which means that this can be a good and noble industry to enter. Anyone that has experienced mental health problems (or knows somebody that has) knows just how difficult it can be to manage, so having good mental health professionals who know how to help is important. Although the work can be challenging and upsetting, it can also be incredibly rewarding and will help you to make a positive difference to the world, helping those that need it most. Here are a few tips for anyone who is interested in starting a career in mental health.
Educate Yourself On Different Career Paths
Mental health is a huge area of healthcare and there are many different fields and positions to consider. This means that before embarking on a career, it is worth familiarizing yourself with these options and how the mental health system works, so that you can find the right career for you. Here are a few different mental health roles to look into:
- Mental health counselor
- Clinical psychologist
- Mental health psychiatrist
- Mental health social worker
- Mental health nurse
Is It The Right Career Path For You?
Before embarking on a new career, it is important to ask yourself if this is the right area for you. This is because it can be a distressing, stressful, and demanding area to work in, and there are sure to be many tough days in your career. A good mental health professional will be:
- Hardworking
- Empathetic
- Able to connect with others
- Organized
- Able to reserve judgement
- Able to separate work and their professional life
- Willing to go the extra mile
Education
Once you have decided on a mental health career, you will need to gain the relevant education. This will often require studying for a masters, which in many cases you can do online. As an example, you can get an online masters in clinical mental health counseling, which will provide you with the qualification and knowledge that you need to succeed. The fact that it is online also provides greater flexibility, which means that it can be easier to juggle study and work/volunteering.
Volunteer
Following this, you also need to gain some kind of experience before you embark on a career so that you can make sure that this is the right type of work for you. Volunteering is a great way to learn through real-life situations, and to show to future employers that you have gained experience in this setting. Here are a few ways that you can gain valuable experience in the mental health field through volunteering:
- Domestic violence shelter
- Suicide hotline
- Children’s mental health charity volunteer
- Hospital volunteer
Internship/Residency
You will usually have to complete an internship/residency in order to obtain a license in the mental health field. This will help by providing you with hands-on experience in the field which is key for developing your skills and confidence while showing that you are capable of succeeding in this role.
Cast A Wide Net
When you first start applying for jobs, it is helpful to cast a wide net, as there are many areas and institutions where you could use your skills and knowledge to help others. Mental health can be incredibly competitive, so you need to be flexible and willing to look in different places in order to secure work.
Keep Learning
There is always more that you can learn when it comes to mental health, so it is helpful to keep educating yourself throughout your career, whether this with:
- New qualifications
- By attending industry events
- Reading respected publications
- Speaking with other mental health professionals
Network
Much like any type of work, it is helpful if you network regularly so that you can build your professional contacts and increase your personal reputation. This might involve networking online on social media and online medical communities, but you should also be networking in person at industry events, while volunteering, and during your residency. This should help to build a network of important contacts and open up more opportunities for yourself.
The world needs more mental health professionals, and those who want to make a positive difference to the world should seriously consider a job in this field. It can be challenging and upsetting at times, but it can also be incredibly rewarding and allow you to make big improvements to the lives of those that need help the most. Hopefully, these tips will help you to start your journey as a mental health professional and find success in this industry.
