Career in Mental Health?!
Question: Career in Mental Health.?
At college, I started a course in Health and Social Care. For the reasons of being young and stupid I dropped out and have gone from pointless office job to another. Desperately want to get back into Mental Health but the only option is university which i can't afford. What i would love is some sort of trainee/apprentice scheme. Maybe working with the community to start. Does anyone have any idea's.? Please help me!!!!!Health Question & Answer
Answers:
Hi,
Im kind of in a similar situation to you. I actually got to the point of training to be a mental health nurse but had to drop out when my own depression went downhill. Now Im back on track but cant go to uni as I wouldnt be able to afford my flat. Dont want to go back to sharing with random people!
Sadly most professional mental health/social care jobs are graduate only these days. You could look into the route of studying to become a social worker part time whilst you work (You cant do nursing part time at any uni).
You say you're interested in working in the community-why not look at your local Mind or Rethink's website at the jobs section. I know Mind employs community mental health workers as well as staff for their day centre and Rethink will have similar positions.
If you started at support worker level you could get training while you work including NVQ3, and you'd be able to eventually apply for more senior positions like team leader or service manager.
There are health care support worker jobs on mental health wards but progression is limited as you have to train to become a qualified nurse to go any furthur. May be a good place to start if you dont have any experience in the field at all though.
Good luck :)Health Question & Answer
Im kind of in a similar situation to you. I actually got to the point of training to be a mental health nurse but had to drop out when my own depression went downhill. Now Im back on track but cant go to uni as I wouldnt be able to afford my flat. Dont want to go back to sharing with random people!
Sadly most professional mental health/social care jobs are graduate only these days. You could look into the route of studying to become a social worker part time whilst you work (You cant do nursing part time at any uni).
You say you're interested in working in the community-why not look at your local Mind or Rethink's website at the jobs section. I know Mind employs community mental health workers as well as staff for their day centre and Rethink will have similar positions.
If you started at support worker level you could get training while you work including NVQ3, and you'd be able to eventually apply for more senior positions like team leader or service manager.
There are health care support worker jobs on mental health wards but progression is limited as you have to train to become a qualified nurse to go any furthur. May be a good place to start if you dont have any experience in the field at all though.
Good luck :)Health Question & Answer
Well im sure community college has plenty of courses that could help you, and another good idea would be to look into jobs with your states Department of Human Services, they would be the ones who opperate the psych inst., developmental centers, PTSD clinics, group homes etc. additionaly state government usally pays really well with nice bennys. Im a Former NJDHS worker and let me tell ya, youll learn alot.Health Question & Answer