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3 Must-Haves for a Career in Mental Health Work (And Why They Matter)
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3 Must-Haves for a Career in Mental Health Work (And Why They Matter)

Working in mental health is both rewarding and challenging. To truly make a difference in someone’s life, there are a few essential qualities and qualifications you need. 

Whether you’re offering emotional support, practical assistance, or crisis management, having the right tools is key to providing the care your clients deserve. In this blog, we’ll explore the must-haves that will help you succeed in this important role. 

Mental Health in Australia: The Facts

Mental health has become a major issue worldwide and it’s no different on our local shores. 

In Australia, it’s estimated that one fifth of people aged 16 to 85 will face a mental health challenge in any given year. That’s millions of individuals in need of support to keep their well-being in check – many on an ongoing basis – and it takes an extensive workforce of compassionate, skilled professionals to help provide for them. 

As such, careers in mental health have proliferated in recent times, welcoming thousands into the sector to fulfil a range of positions to meet the ever-increasing demands of clients. So, if you’re seriously considering working in this field of healthcare, it’s an opportune time to do so. 

Mental Health Careers

It’s not only one type of role in mental health that’s increasing in numbers but several, from entry level jobs and upwards. 

For example, Mental Health Support Worker jobs are projected to grow by 23% in the next five years, according to the online job site Seek. These critical base-level positions in the mental health sector pay well, too, with an average annual salary of around $73k.  

Counsellors, who are responsible for supporting clients with various life challenges including mental health issues, are also a role on the rise. According to Seek, these mid-level jobs in mental health are expected to grow by around 14% over the next five years, with most Counsellors warranting a salary of around $93k per year.  

There are also highly specialised mental health roles that require several years of training to prepare for – such as a Psychiatrist – and, while not growing at the same rate as lower-level positions, are increasing all the same. 

What You Need to Become a Mental Health Worker 

No question, working in the mental health sector can be incredibly rewarding as you help others to overcome life’s hurdles and lead a more balanced, contented life. Yet you are probably aware of the highly challenging nature of this type of work too. 

It takes a certain type of person to handle working in mental health successfully. And you need to know you are prepared for the challenges before you get going, to avoid entering the profession and quickly feeling the need to leave it again. 

Here are some absolute must haves to get started and stay working in mental health for the long term: 

Empathy

We cannot stress enough how critical it is to have empathy in your personal kitbag when working in the mental health field. It allows you to truly understand and connect with the emotions and experiences of those you’re helping, offering the compassion and care they need to feel supported. Without empathy, it’s difficult to build trust and provide the personalised, meaningful assistance that can make a real difference in someone’s life. 

While you can learn about empathy, it’s typically a trait you will possess already and an essential one for becoming a Mental Health Worker. 

People skills

Next, you must have strong people skills to work in mental health. Without them, you will find it a challenge to communicate effectively and build trust with your clients. Being able to listen, understand, and respond to individuals’ needs fosters a safe and supportive environment, making it easier to offer guidance and encouragement.  

Put simply, people skills are key to creating positive, productive interactions with your mental health clients. 

Formal training 

Lastly, you will need formal training to equip you with the knowledge and skills to handle mental health work, where complex situations are commonplace and dealing with them safely and effectively is vital. Training ensures you understand the various mental health conditions, treatment options, and legal requirements involved in providing care, allowing you to offer informed, professional support. 

If empathy and people skills are ‘personal’, formal training provides the practical component of your Mental Health Worker must haves. 

Mental Health Training

We’ve mentioned how it’s imperative to have a formal qualification before seeking mental health work in Australia, loading you up with the practical skills for this challenging yet rewarding field of work. 

One of the most popular mental health training courses is the Certificate IV in Mental Health, offered by RTOs Australia-wide. 

CHC43315 Certificate IV in Mental Health  

This Certificate is a recommended entry point to anyone wanting to work in mental health in Australia.  

On completing the course, you will have many essential skills for mental health work, including these ones: 

  • Provide recovery orientated mental health services 
  • Assess and promote social, emotional and physical wellbeing 
  • Provide services to people with co-existing mental health and alcohol and other drug issues 
  • Recognise and respond to crisis situations 
  • Provide loss and grief support 

The course takes 12-18 months on average to complete, based on your method of study and availability to commit to the hours required. It includes fifteen units of study (eleven core and four elective), as well as 80 hours of practical work within an approved workplace. 

There are no formal entry requirements necessary, and it’s often available to study virtually, making it highly accessible regardless of your high school education results or location. However, individuals must be at least 18 years old to complete the mandatory work placement component. 

Once completed, you are equipped to become a Mental Health Worker – or, for roles like Counsellor or Mental Health Youth Worker, continue your education and complete the CHC52021 Diploma of Community Services (Focus on Mental Health).  

A Final Word: Self-Care Tips for Mental Health Professionals

Mental health work is not for everyone. Even if you feel it’s the perfect fit for you, bear in mind there will be plenty of speed bumps throughout your career – some that can be extremely challenging for your own mental health. 

We suggest anybody considering this line of work carries out plenty of research before embarking on a course, so you know exactly what to expect when the time comes to enter the workplace. Read up the types of scenarios you might encounter – better still, if you know someone who works in the mental health sector, ask them questions about their daily experiences. You can also speak with an Insight Training careers advisor about this line of work. 

It’s also important you know what Mental Health Workers do to safeguard their emotional wellbeing and prevent succumbing to mental health issues themselves. You can read more on this topic in our article about self-care tips for mental health professionals.  

Are you ready to get going in mental health work? 

If you study the Certificate IV in Mental Health with Insight Training, you receive much more than a formal qualification. Our support team is here to help ensure this is the right course for you before you get started, so you know you’re embarking on the best option based on your career aspirations and capabilities.  

To get started, arrange a chat with a Career and Course Advisor at Insight Training today. 

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