Globally, there is an increased focus on mental health.
The stigma around the subject is finally lifting as we collectively appreciate what it means to our wellbeing. This means people seeking professional help with mental health is on the rise, and so is the number of skilled workers trained to provide it.
If you’re interested in a career in this sector, read on as we explore what it takes to prepare yourself for mental health work. Afterwards, you will know which course of study to complete to become a Mental Health Professional, helping you take your next career step.
Mental Health Australia: The Facts
When you look at the figures, it’s clear that mental health has become a growing concern.
In the period 2020-2022, almost half of all Australians aged 16-85 had suffered mental issues of some type, and 45% of people this age will seek mental health support at some stage in their life. While for some, their issues might be mild and short-term problems – for example, stress caused by an event such as exams – others are dealing with ongoing and often more complex mental conditions like severe anxiety or depression.
As awareness of mental health grows, there is an increasing demand for compassionate and qualified professionals in the mental health industry. Working in this field means more than just having a job; it’s a unique opportunity to help individuals rebuild their lives and positively impact their overall wellbeing.
What is a Mental Health Professional?
A Mental Health Professional is a broad term encompassing a whole host of job types within a vast sector stretching across multiple settings.
The wide range of roles in mental health reflects the diversity of support people may require. Some professionals, like psychologists and counsellors, work directly with clients to provide therapy and emotional support. Others, such as mental health coordinators or case managers, focus on organising care plans and connecting clients to resources. Roles also vary in complexity, from entry-level positions like support workers, who assist with daily tasks and provide companionship, to advanced roles requiring significant qualifications, such as psychiatrists or clinical psychologists.
These varied opportunities cater to different skills, qualifications, and career aspirations, making mental health a dynamic and inclusive field of employment.
How to Prepare for Mental Health Worker Opportunities
As the mental health sector expands, so do the people who seek support. In Australia, more job opportunities are popping up in less traditional settings like the private sector and education, yet the strongest demand remains in healthcare, where there has been 26% growth in employment over the past five years (with 16% growth projected over the next five years). This sector is the largest employer of mental health professionals, including roles like psychologists, counsellors, and support workers
Studying for mental health jobs
If you want to enter the sector and yet are a little put off by the thought of several years of study, including diplomas, degrees, or even postgraduate degrees, then here’s the good news: many mental health jobs do not require this level of study.
There are indeed some professionals in this field for which a degree is a prerequisite – advanced roles like a psychiatrist among them. Yet as the world has become more accustomed to the term – reducing the stigma and all but normalising mental health – roles of a different type have emerged, and many you would class as entry-level because they do not deal with clients in the same way as a psychiatrist would.
For example, most businesses today have a policy for dealing with employee mental health. This could involve anything from ensuring staff take adequate breaks to formalised ‘mental health’ days whereby they take time out to relax and unwind. Many such companies also have a staff member dedicated to facilitating and managing mental health. It’s all part of an increased focus on psychosocial wellbeing, and developing routines to encourage personal growth, happiness, self-esteem, social functioning, and a sense of purpose. And while you won’t need several years of study for these types of roles, you will require formal training to learn the skills to deal with mental health in the workplace or broader society.
Best Qualification to Become a Mental Health Professional
If you are keen to start a career in mental health, you will need a formal qualification to support people effectively. An appropriate place to start is with the Certificate IV in Mental Health.
CHC43315 Certificate IV in Mental Health
This nationally recognised course equips individuals with the knowledge and skills to enjoy a career in the mental health sector.
Over 15 units of study – 11 core and four elective – students learn various practical skills to support people with mental health concerns. Some are common to healthcare work, like the skills to work legally and ethically with diverse people and collaborate effectively with other care services. Others are more mental health focused, like how to:
- Work effectively in trauma-informed care
- Provide services to people with co-existing mental health and alcohol and other drug issues
- Establish a self-directed recovery relationship
- Provide recovery-orientated mental health services
Once you have completed the course – typically within twelve months – you are equipped for a broad range of mental health jobs and can begin considering your employment prospects. Here are some of the popular roles on offer and what they involve.
- Disability Service Officer: Supports individuals with mental disabilities by coordinating services that enhance their independence, wellbeing, and social inclusion. They assist clients in building life skills, accessing community resources, and achieving personal goals while advocating for their needs in a supportive environment.
- Mental Health Outreach Worker: Provides mental health support to clients in their homes or communities, focusing on building trust, connecting them to services, and helping them manage their mental health conditions.
- Community Rehabilitation and Support Worker: Assists individuals recovering from mental illness by helping them build life skills, achieve personal goals, and integrate into their communities through tailored rehabilitation plans.
- Rehabilitation Worker: Focuses on aiding clients in regaining physical, emotional, or vocational capabilities, often working closely with therapists and healthcare teams to implement effective recovery strategies.
- Mental Health Intake Officer: Acts as the first point of contact for mental health services, assessing client needs, providing initial support, and referring individuals to appropriate care providers or programs.
What Comes Next After the CHC44315 Certificate IV in Mental Health?
The roles you can consider after completing CHC44315 Certificate IV in Mental Health are broad and can take you into many industries, particularly with the responsibility companies have these days to promote psychosocial wellbeing.
If you have just completed Certificate IV or are working in the industry and keen to advance your skills further – perhaps to take on roles where you provide therapy or counselling to individuals with mental health issues instead of supporting professionals who do – then you can consider a Diploma as the next step in your learning journey.
The CHC52021 Diploma of Community Services (Focus on Mental Health) teaches you advanced practical skills to use in the sector, like providing recovery-orientated mental health services, loss and grief support or assessing and promoting social, emotional and physical wellbeing.
This qualification has many outcomes and can lead to careers like a Certified Mental Health Counsellor or Stress Management Therapist.
Getting Started as a Mental Health Professional
A career in mental health can be challenging and deeply fulfilling, with diverse and plentiful opportunities for professional and personal growth.
Ready to get going with formal training? Start by arranging a chat with a Career and Course Advisor at Insight Training, and they can tell you more about the CHC44315 Certificate IV in Mental Health.
