NHS Careers shines the spotlight on working in mental health

As part of a programme to encourage more people to think about building a career in the field of mental health, the NHS Careers website is shining the spotlight on the many different options for people of all ages.

Working in Mental Health is a fascinating area for anyone wanting a varied and rewarding career that can really make a difference, offering help and support to those suffering mental distress, as well as to their families and carers.

As many as one in three people are thought to suffer some form of mental health problem. For many, mental illness is brought on by a crisis in life, which they canít cope with, such as depression after the death of a partner. For others, mental distress can be brought on through any one of many different conditions such as neuroses, psychosis, psychological and personality disorders.

Foluke Ajayi, Head of NHS Careers, said: There has been an increase in the number of psychiatrists, nurses and front-line healthcare staff working in mental health thanks to an extra 384 million investment over the last year. But as services for, and investment in, mental health continues to improve, NHS Careers is working hard to increase awareness of career opportunities within this specialist field of healthcare amongst people of all ages and from all backgrounds.

Many people find themselves interested in pursuing a career in mental health having had personal contact with mental health services through support or care given to a family member or friend. The job of helping people back to mental health is every bit as valuable and satisfying as caring for those with a physical illness, and anyone with patience, empathy, and a desire to use their skills in problem solving, team work and communication will find working in Mental Health both stimulating and satisfying.

The skills required to work in this field include an ability to relate to clients of all ages and good communication skills. You should enjoy the challenge of supporting short-, as well as long-term solutions, have an interest in equality and inclusion, and the confidence to handle problems or issues as they arise. You should also be willing and happy to work as part of a team that will often involve cross-agency communication, for example with local Social Care staff and others.

Sophie Corlett, director of policy at mental health charity Mind said:

Thereís an ever-increasing recognition of the importance of mental health, and a strong demand for trained professionals. Youíll have the opportunity to work with an exciting and diverse range of people, or to specialise in a certain area, such as young peopleís mental health.

Working in mental health can be very rewarding, and is definitely a career that will broaden your perspectives, give you great transferable skills, and will keep you interested every day.

Celia Richardson, Director of Communications from the Mental Health Foundation said:

Choosing a career in mental health opens up a wide range of very rewarding opportunities. Jobs in the field offer plenty of variety, intellectual stimulation and connection with people. Most importantly, we need mental health professionals who are caring, open-minded and committed to improving peopleís lives.

Career opportunities in mental health
There are many different career options for trained staff who want to work in mental health, as well as a variety of entry levels for those just starting out.

Roles can encompass working with people of all ages from adults to young people in mental distress, or those with learning disabilities or drug or alcohol issues.

You could be working in a mental health team within a hospital, or there are an increasing number of opportunities in the community due to the NHS commitment to providing quicker, more convenient access for patients. The NHS also provides some services in schools for children and adolescents with mental distress, as well as to some prisons and secure units.

Careers include those that you will find within other areas of the NHS, such as Occupational Therapists, Speech and Language Therapists and Healthcare Managers, whilst others tend to be focused within the fields of mental health work in particular. New roles are also being developed to include Support Time and Recovery staff and graduate mental health support workers.

Careers within mental health include:

Mental health nurse
One of the most complex and demanding areas of Nursing. The key role and challenge is to form therapeutic relationships with mentally ill people and their families. Most mentally ill people are not cared for in hospital but in the community. You might be based in a community health care centre, day hospital and outpatients department or specialist unit. You will need to have a good understanding of the theories of mental health and illness

Psychiatrist
Psychiatrists are qualified doctors who take post-graduate training in psychiatry. They diagnose and treat patients with mental health conditions.

Psychologist (Clinical, Forensic and Counselling Psychology) Psychologists use the application of scientific principles to the understanding of human experience and action. They bring psychological theory and practice to bear, to solve problems or bring about improvements for individuals, groups and organisations.

Psychotherapis
Psychotherapists use a ítalking treatmentí approach to treat adults and children for a wide range of mental and physical difficulties.

Art, drama or music therapist
Encourage self-expression and an ability to communicate through the use of art, drama or music.

Occupational therapist
Focus on the active teaching of specific skills and techniques to help people with mental, physical and social problems to build up the confidence and skills needed to live and work as independently as possible.

Physiotherapist
Treats the physical problems caused by accidents, illness and ageing, particularly those that affect the muscles, bones, heart, circulation and lungs

Speech and language therapist
Speech and language therapists work with people who have problems with communication, including speech defects, or difficulties with chewing or swallowing.

Support, Time and Recovery (STR) worker
Part of a team, providing mental health services and focusing directly on the needs of the service user, working across boundaries of care, organisation and role.

Pharmacist
Expert practitioners in medicines and their use

Healthcare assistant/Clinical support worker/Therapy assistant Work within hospital or community settings to provide practical care and support, under the guidance of a qualified healthcare professional.

General managers (eg. Confidentiality managers, Finance managers, Health informatics managers) General Managers work alongside clinical staff in organising the provision and delivery of healthcare. For example, this can be focused on confidentiality issues relating to staff and clients; finance and budgeting; or providing information and data to healthcare teams.

Administrative and clerical staff
Administrative and clerical staff may work in a range of roles to help ensure the effective running of a department or whole NHS organisation.

Domestic staff, caterers, porters, drivers and other support staff Every NHS organisation needs a diverse range of support staff and career progression is as much an option within these fields as in any other. They help to maintain buildings and equipment, ensure that patients and staff have access to appropriate nutrition, and are able to be cared for in a clean and safe environment.

To find out more, visit www.nhscareers.nhs.uk or call 0845 60 60 655.