How to Become a Mental Health Worker in Australia

How to Become a Mental Health Worker in Australia

Get a Mental Health Job in Australia

Jobs in the mental health field are in great demand due to the rise in mental illness. According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW), 4.4 million patients (17.2% of the Australian population) filled a prescription for a mental health-related medication in 2019–20. This blog gives a detailed picture of how to get a job in Australia as a mental health worker.

What Does a Mental Health Worker Do?

A mental health worker deals with a client’s mental health difficulties and assists them in their treatment journey. The everyday duties, functions, and responsibilities that mental health professionals are expected to perform are listed below.

  • Evaluation of the state and needs of the patients.
  • Tracking the health and development of clients while they get treatment.
  • Patient counselling in coordination with other medical specialists.
  • Close collaboration with social groups in the creation of improved services and community welfare programs.
  • Creating and putting into effect mental health schedules.
  • Maintaining and documenting client records, including treatment plans, in accordance with applicable standards and principles.
  • Educating the community
Careers in Mental Health

You can work as a mental health professional at a variety of healthcare facilities or in a private practise. You can offer patients support in hospitals, rehab facilities, and community centres, or by setting up your own business to provide psychological counselling. The following are other positions in mental health:

  • Serving as a consultant or offering government-sponsored mental health services. To be qualified for this position, you must be accepted by the Australian Association of Social Workers.
  • Assuming management responsibilities for the health sector. This could be the right career in mental health for you if you enjoy handling finances, creating regulations, organising programmes, and performing administrative duties.
  • Working in public health – In order to organise health initiatives, this function requires strong collaboration with the community and community involvement.
How to Become a Mental Health Worker

A bachelor’s degree in social work or nursing from an authorised university is the initial requirement for jobs in mental health. You will be expected to have a speciality in mental health after this. This can be satisfied by earning a diploma in mental health from an accredited Australian institution. You will gain all the skills and knowledge you need from this course, which will also prepare you for the challenges of working in the mental health field.

Mental health issues are a difficult thing to deal with, and many people struggle emotionally. However, the Diploma of Mental Health course will provide you with the skills and knowledge required to work in a mental health organization. You will learn how to assess and manage mental health problems, develop treatment plans and provide support to clients and their families. With this training, you will have an embodiment of skills that will encourage you to empower people’s lives with hope and positivity which they assume to be an impossible element in their life. You will be able to:

  • Provide counselling and offer psychotherapy sessions
  • To work with patients on a one-to-one basis or in groups
  • To manage medication
  • Develop a person-centred approach

Apart from learning how to work with patients who suffer from mental health issues – The course Diploma of mental health is much more for your own enhancement in life.

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People Also Ask What are the roles and responsibilities of a mental health support worker?

There are numerous duties that a support worker must perform. Providing physical support, which may include helping with chores around the house and taking care of oneself, Furthermore, providing emotional support to a person and their family. They also support and assist with medical needs such as routine examinations or medication administration.

How much does a mental health worker make in Australia?

The average hourly pay for a Mental Health Worker in Australia is AU$29.18 per hour. (Source: https://www.payscale.com/)

What qualities make a good mental health nurse?

Being a mental health nurse requires having a certain personality and good communication abilities. You’ll need to be well-versed in mental health issues and know how to use that knowledge practically. You’ll be friendly and outgoing while genuinely caring about service users and their unique situations.

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