Here at Vetro Recruitment, we see firsthand the positive effect that Mental Health Support Workers and Mental Health Nurses have on thousands of people each and every day. We have huge admiration for those that we work with, as Mental Health Support Workers are a crucial part of the healthcare system.
What Hours Do Mental Health Support Workers Have?
The role of a Mental Health Support Worker can be exhausting, both mentally and physically but offers enormous rewards, as nurses work to improve the lives of their patients on a daily basis. Mental health work is not a typical nine-to-five role as the main aim is to rehabilitate lives and repair minds with long-term treatment. The average shift is twelve hours and varies between days and nights.
What Kind Of People Do Mental Health Support Workers Care For?
Mental Health Support Workers care for those with a mental health illness, which can present unique challenges unlike any other role within Social Care. Patients range from very young, to older, as it is a condition that doesn't discriminate and can impact anyone at any stage of their life. Studies show that one in four people in the world will be affected by mental health or a neurological disorder at some point in their lives.
With over 450 million people living with a mental health condition, it is seen as the leading cause of ill-health worldwide. The most common problems are anxiety and depression, with almost 8% of people in Britain meeting the criteria.
However, Mental Health Support Workers often come across very extreme variations of other conditions such as severe learning difficulties, eating disorders, self-harm, schizophrenia, and in some instances psychosis.
What Do Mental Health Support Workers Do On A Daily Basis?
The day-to-day of a Mental Health Support Worker and Mental Health Nurse are never the same. From caring for people with acute conditions, building relationships, responding to emotional and physical needs, to dealing with specific symptoms of mental illness, de-escalating stressful situations and helping their patients overcome challenges.
Mental Health Support Workers will spend time interacting with people's families and other care staff to offer advice and information when needed. They are also expected to maintain patient records, produce care plans and risk assessments, organise social events, therapy sessions and artistic events to promote mental recovery. With such a variety of daily tasks, a career as a Mental Health Support Worker is an extremely rewarding one.
What Qualifications Does A Mental Health Support Worker Need?
Qualifications and entry requirements for a Mental Health Support Worker or RMHN are different. For example, a Registered Nurse will be expected to hold a mental health or nursing degree qualification. However, a Mental Health Support Worker may not require any experience or qualifications at all. Many of our Mental Health Support Worker roles are 'no experience' necessary.
Mental Health Support Worker roles involve working with a variety of different kinds of people, so it is important to be open-minded and to have a good general knowledge of the kind of issues vulnerable people can face. It's also important to be able to quickly adapt when presented with an unfamiliar situation as opposed to having a long list of experience or qualifications.
Good communication skills are essential and Mental Health Support Workers will need to have the patience to work with people who may have difficulty communicating. They also need basic IT skills, excellent time management and practical skills to help people with moving around, filling in forms, or managing housework.
What Kind Of Person Is a Mental Health Support Worker?
There is certainly a distinctive type of character that will be needed in order to be successful as a Mental Health Support Worker or Mental Health Nurse. Some of the key characteristics are as follows:
- Compassion
- Trust and honesty
- Ability to be flexible and adaptable
- Problem solver
- Team player and an excellent communicator
- Able to motivate
Where Can I Work As A Mental Health Support Worker?
The majority of Mental Health Support Workers in the UK are employed by local council social care departments or by the NHS, but work is also available within private companies and organisations such as the armed forces. Some registered Mental Health Support Workers and Mental Health Nurses are attached to clinics, care homes, or similar institutions while others work in the community, visiting clients in their homes or connecting with them through community centres.
There are also employers in the voluntary sector, primarily charities, and these can be a great first role as a Mental Health Support Worker for those without much relevant experience. No matter who they are employed by, Mental Health Support Workers have the pleasure of knowing that they are doing something worthwhile and making a difference in the lives of others.
Why Should I Become A Mental Health Support Worker?
Wanting to help some of the most vulnerable individuals is why many people choose to work as a Mental Health Support Worker. Making a real difference to those with mental health problems is arguably the main reason most people are motivated to become a Mental Health Support Worker or Mental Health Nurse. For the right people, this field of work can provide stimulation and variety each and every day.
If you want to make a difference in the lives of people as a Mental Health Support Worker we have a variety of roles available here.