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Careers in mental health
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Introduction
Who wants to work in mental health?
Do your research
Talking treatments
Counselling
Psychotherapy
Psychology
Advocacy
Arts therapies
Art therapy
Drama therapy
Music therapy
Dance movement therapy
Occupational therapy
Medicine and nursing
Psychiatry
Nursing
Gateway workers
Psychiatric pharmacy
Health services management
Social support
Social work
Other areas of social support
Probation
What if you have no qualifications?
Voluntary work
Further reading
Introduction
This factsheet is targeted towards people interested in working in the field of mental health. It offers some introductory information on a range of work opportunities in this field. It is not intended to provide an in-depth description of what each job entails. For accurate and up-to-date information on the career which interests you, contact the specialist organisation listed at the end of the relevant section enclosing a stamped addressed envelope, or look at their website.
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Who wants to work in mental health?
Many people are attracted towards work in mental health because of a personal interest in the area. They may know someone who has experienced mental health problems, or indeed they may have been users of mental health services themselves. Personal experience of mental distress can bring a greater understanding and empathy with users of mental health services and, for some careers in mental health, a personal experience of mental health problems may be desirable or essential criteria within the job description.
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Do your research
Before deciding which career to aim for, you may wish to talk to people involved in the kind of work you are considering and to visit mental health settings such as hospitals, hostels and day centres. If you would like to visit a hospital, contact the hospital administrator. Your local social services department should be able to arrange a visit to a hostel or day centre. Always write or telephone to arrange your visit in advance. The Institute of Healthcare Management Yearbook, which should be available in the reference section of large libraries, also contains useful addresses. Web searches can also be a good way of finding out careers information, useful organisations and contact addresses.
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Talking treatments
Counselling
Counselling gives people an opportunity to be listened to in a safe environment while they talk about whatever is troubling them. The aim is not to tell someone what to do, or to offer personal opinions, but to help someone to arrive at their own solutions. Counsellors usually help people to focus on particular problems at an immediate level and offer information and ideas on how to approach specific difficulties.
Counselling is a rapidly expanding area and, as the profession is still unregulated, reputable employers will always require a counsellor to have been trained by a recognised training organisation and to follow an accepted code of practice. It is therefore very important to ensure that any training course you follow is recognised and accredited by one of the recognised bodies, such as the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), or the United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP).
There are several work opportunities for trained counsellors: they may work in counselling agencies with people experiencing mental distress; many counsellors are employed in GP practices, schools, universities, industry, hospitals or prisons; they may also set up in private practice. There are also openings for voluntary counsellors in community groups which deal with problems such as alcoholism.
British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy
BACP House, 35-37 Albert Street, Rugby, Warwickshire CV21 2SG
tel: 0870 443 5252
email: bacp@bacp.co.uk
website: www.bacp.co.uk
Publishes a directory of training in counselling. Counsellors and Psychotherapists in Primary Care
Queensway House
Queensway, Bognor Regis, West Sussex PO21 1QT
tel: 01243 870 701
email: cpc@cpc-online.co.uk
website: www.cpc-online.co.uk
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Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy is a talking treatment aimed at helping people to understand the underlying causes of their distress and to come to terms with their problems. The psychotherapeutic process goes deeper than counselling and is generally longer term than other talking treatments such as counselling or cognitive behaviour therapy.
There are many different types of psychotherapy and each method involves a different training which may take a number of years, and require the trainees to undertake their own psychotherapy. Some courses also require trainees to have existing qualifications in psychology. Some psychotherapists work within the NHS, but the majority work in voluntary agencies or in private practices.
British Association of Psychotherapists
37 Mapesbury Road, London NW2 4HJ
tel: 020 8452 9823
email: mail@bap-psychotherapy.org
website: www.bap-psychotherapy.org
Arbours Crisis Centre
41 Weston Park, London N8 9SY
tel: 020 8340 8125
email: info@arbourscentre.org.uk
website: www.arbourscentre.org.uk
The Tavistock and Portman NHS Trust
Tavistock Clinic, 120 Belsize Lane, London NW3 5BA
tel: 020 7435 7111
email: info@tavi-port.org
website: www.tavi-port.org
United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy
167-169 Great Portland Street. London W1W 5PF
tel: 020 7436 3002
email: ukcp@psychotherapy.org.uk
website: www.psychotherapy.org.uk
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Psychology
Psychology is the study of human behaviour, and the training of psychologists centres on the application of scientific principles to the understanding of human experience and action. Psychologists usually take an undergraduate degree in psychology, followed by postgraduate specialisation in clinical, educational or occupational psychology.
Clinical psychologists are involved in the assessment and treatment of people experiencing mental distress.
Educational psychologists work with children who are having problems at school due to emotional disturbance or learning difficulties, and may be qualified teachers who have had additional training in educational psychology.
Occupational psychologists work in other fields such as industry or commerce.
The British Psychological Society
St Andrews House, 48 Princess Road East, Leicester LE1 7DR
tel: 0116 254 9568
email: enquiry@bps.org.uk
website: www.bps.org.uk
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Advocacy
Advocates are paid workers or volunteers who have been trained in listening and negotiating skills. They should also have knowledge of the basic legal framework and provision of mental health and community care services. Advocacy is a process of supporting and enabling people to express their views and concerns, access information and services, defend and promote their rights, and to explore choices and options. Traditionally, advocacy services have been run by the voluntary sector; however, in 2000 the NHS created a Patient Advocate and Liaison Service (PALS) which have now been established within every NHS Trust.
The Citizen Advocacy Information and Training service (CAIT) has, from April 2005, been replaced by the Advocacy Resource Exchange (ARX).
Advocacy Resource Exchange (formerly CAIT)
Unit 162, Lee Valley Technopark, Ashley Road, London N17 9LN
tel: 020 8880 4547
email: arx@advocacyresource.net
website: www.citizenadvocacy.org.uk
United Kingdom Advocacy Network
Volserve House, 14-18 West Bar Green, Sheffield S1 2DA
tel: 0114 272 8171
email: office@u-kan.co.uk
website: www.u-kan.co.uk
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Arts therapies
Short courses on art, music and drama in therapy are available at Brunel University (West London), either alone as professional and updating courses, or as part of a more extensive course.
Brunel University
School of Health Sciences and Social Care, Osterley Campus, Borough Road, Isleworth, Middlesex TW7 5DU
tel: 020 8891 0121
website: http://www.brunel.ac.uk/about/acad/health
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Art therapy
Art therapy is the use of art materials for self-expression and reflection in the presence of a trained art therapist. Art therapists aim to help people work on personal problems and areas of conflict by using art as a means of communication. It can be particularly helpful to people who find it hard to express their thoughts and feelings verbally. Art therapists work in a variety of settings such as hospitals and day centres.
To train as an art therapist, you will usually need a first degree in art in order to go on to an accredited post-graduate diploma course. Experience of working in an area of health, education or social care is also desirable. Once qualified, art therapists must apply for State Registration to the Health Professions Council before they can practice.
British Association of Art Therapists
24-27 White Lion Street, London N1 9PD
tel: 020 7686 4216
email: info@baat.org
website: www.baat.org
Faculty of Art and Design
University of Hertfordshire, College Lane, Hatfield, Hertfordshire AL10 9AB
tel: 01707 284 000
email: admissions@herts.ac.uk
website: www.herts.ac.uk
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Drama therapy
Drama therapy provides a creative medium and a safe space in which people can explore issues and gain personal insight. It can be used to increase
self-awareness and the ability to communicate effectively. Drama therapists may start out with qualifications in some other field (for example, psychotherapy, social work, occupational therapy, teaching or drama) to which they add further formal training in drama therapy. However, there are many short courses available for those wishing to develop drama therapy skills less intensively.
British Association of Drama Therapists
41 Broomhouse Lane, London SW6 3DP
tel: 020 7731 0160
email: info@badth.org.uk
website: www.badth.org.uk
Sesame Institute UK and International
Christchurch, 27 Blackfriars Road, London SE1 8NY tel: 020 7633 9690
email: info@sesame-institute.org
website: www.sesame-institute.org
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Music therapy
Music therapy uses music as a means of communication and expression. Music therapists do not teach clients to sing, or to play an instrument. Rather, people are encouraged to use instruments and their own voices to explore the world of sound and to create a musical language of their own. The therapist aims to facilitate positive changes in behaviour and emotional wellbeing. Music therapists need to be skilled musicians, and have usually taken a general music course before specialising.
Association of Professional Music Therapists
61 Church Hill Road, East Barnet, Herts EN4 8SY
tel: 020 8440 4153
email: APMToffice@aol.com
website: www.apmt.org
British Society for Music Therapy
61 Church Hill Road, East Barnet, Herts EN4 8SY
tel: 020 8441 6226
email: info@bsmt.org
website: www.bsmt.org
Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy Centre
2 Lissenden Gardens, London NW5 1PP
tel: 020 7267 4496
website: www.nordoff-robbins.org.uk
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Dance movement therapy
Dance movement therapy (DMT) is the psychotherapeutic use of movement and dance through which a person can engage creatively in a process to further their emotional, cognitive, physical and social integration. Dance movement therapists work with a variety of clients including those with emotional problems, mental health problems, learning disabilities and physical disabilities.
There are postgraduate training courses in DMT. Entry is normally at postgraduate level for those with degrees in dance, physical education, or the social sciences, with a proven interest and training in a movement or dance form. Students are usually over 25 with some understanding and experience of DMT and personal therapy.
Faculty of Arts and Design
University of Hertfordshire, College Lane, Hatfield, Hertfordshire AL10 9AB
tel: 01707 284 000
email: admissions@herts.ac.uk
website: www.herts.ac.uk
The Association of Dance Movement Therapy UK
32 Meadfoot Lane, Torquay TQ1 2BW
email: queries@admt.org.uk
website: www.admt.org.uk
Laban Centre for Movement and Dance
Creekside, London SE8 3DZ
tel: 020 8691 8600
email: info@laban.org
website: www.laban.org
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Occupational therapy
Occupational therapists (OTs) work in psychiatric units, day hospitals and in the community. OTs are employed by health authorities, social services departments, social care trusts and voluntary organisations. Their role is to help people with mental, physical and social problems to build up the confidence and skills needed for personal, social, domestic, leisure or work activities. They focus on the active learning of specific skills and techniques for coping more effectively. This may involve the use of arts, crafts, group work (such as anxiety management and assertiveness training), individual counselling and training in the activities of daily living such as self-care, shopping, cooking, and budgeting.
There are a variety of occupational therapy degree courses in the UK, ranging from a two-year accelerated course for those with a relevant first degree, to three- and four-year courses.
To practice as an occupational therapist, you must be registered with the Health Professions Council.
British Association of Occupational Therapists
106-114 Borough High Street, London SE1 1LB
tel: 020 7357 6480
website: www.cot.org.uk
Health Professions Council
Park House, 184 Kennington Park Road, London, SE11 4BU
tel: 020 7582 0866
email: info@hpc-uk.org
website: www.hpc-uk.org
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Medicine and nursing
Psychiatry
Psychiatrists are qualified doctors who take post-graduate training in psychiatry after completion of a general medical training, and specialise in the treatment of mentally distressed people. Psychiatrists are not only hospital-based; in some areas they have close links with GPs' surgeries. Others work in community mental health centres or in multidisciplinary teams. They work closely with a number of different mental health professionals, such as psychologists, social workers and psychotherapists.
Doctors who have not specialised in psychiatry may also have a crucial role to play in helping people experiencing emotional distress. The general practitioner may be the first person people go to see when they have emotional problems. Between a quarter and a third of a GP's workload will be concerned with emotional or psychological difficulties. GPs can talk through problems, prescribe medication or make referrals as appropriate. Also, paediatricians (doctors who specialise in the health of babies and children) have an important part to play in identifying emotional problems in children at an early stage.
British Medical Association
BMA House, Tavistock Square, London, WC1H 9JP
tel: 020 7387 4499
website: www.bma.org.uk
British Medical Association – Wales
5th Floor, 2 Caspian Point, Caspian Way, Cardiff, CF10 4DQ
tel: 029 2047 4646
email: info.cardiff@bma.org.uk
website: www.bma.org.uk
Royal College of Psychiatrists
17 Belgrave Square, London, SW1X 8PG
tel: 020 7235 2351
email: rcpsych@rcpsych.ac.uk
website: www.rcpsych.ac.uk
Royal College of Psychiatrists – Welsh Division
Baltic House, Mount Stuart Square, Cardiff CH10 5FH
tel: 0292 048 9006
email: kedwards@welshdiv.rcpsych.ac.uk
website: www.rcpsych.ac.uk/college/division/welsh.asp
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Nursing
Nurses trained to work with mentally distressed people are employed in psychiatric hospitals and units in general hospitals. Community Psychiatric Nurses work with people in the community. The ability to communicate with people and a willingness to give a great deal of attention, encouragement and support are as important as a good knowledge of medicine.
There are two routes to qualification as a nurse: either through a pre-registration nursing course or by taking an appropriate degree course such as Nursing Studies. The pre-registration course follows an 18-month Common Foundation Programme, which is followed by specialised study in mental health nursing. The minimum age for entry into nursing is 17.5 years. People taking a degree in nursing can then follow this with a postgraduate qualification, such as a diploma in mental health nursing or community psychiatric nursing qualification.
Royal College of Nursing
20 Cavendish Square, London W1G 0RN
tel: 020 7409 3333
website: www.rcn.org.uk
Royal College of Nursing Wales (North)
Ty Tirion, 333 Abergele Road, Old Colwyn, Clwyd LL29 9PG
tel: 01492 513 555
email: welsh.board@rcn.org.uk
website: www.rcn.org.uk/wales
Royal College of Nursing Wales (South)
Ty Maeth, King George V Drive East, Cardiff CF14 4XZ
tel: 029 2075 1373
email: welsh.board@rcn.org.uk/wales
website: www.rcn.org.uk/wales
Nursing and Midwifery Council
23 Portland Place, London W1B 1PZ
tel: 020 7637 7181
email: advice@nmc-uk.org
website: www.nmc-uk.org
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Gateway workers
These are new roles, developed within the NHS Plan to modernise mental health services.
A Gateway worker is part of a local clinical health service providing local assessment and triage for people presenting in an acute or impending mental health emergency.
Gateway workers may have a clinical or strategic role in supporting access to services and ensuring the effective use of smooth pathways between primary and specialised services.
Gateway workers are experienced mental health clinicians with professional qualifications in nursing, social work or psychology but, as they should respond to local priorities, the specific roles and responsibilities of each worker will vary.
(Source: NIMHE website, http://kc.nimhe.org.uk/ index.cfm?fuseaction= Item.listItems&intClassificationNodeID=396)
Further information on gateway workers can be found in the publication Fast-forwarding primary care mental health – gateway workers (Department of Health 2003). It can be downloaded from the Department of Health website or by contacting the DoH:
Department of Health
PO Box 777, London SE1 6XH
tel: 08701 555 455
website: www.dh.gov.uk
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Psychiatric pharmacy
Psychiatric pharmacists are expert practitioners in the medications used in treating mental health problems. Psychiatric pharmacists are qualified pharmacists who have gone on to specialise in the field of mental health, and usually would be hospital-based. In order to become a pharmacist, you must study for a degree in pharmacy. The United Kingdom Psychiatric Pharmacy Group established the College of Mental Health Pharmacists in 2000. This is an accreditation body for specialist mental health pharmacists, and will allow formal recognition and registration of competence of practice.
UK Psychiatric Pharmacy Group (UKPPG)
62 Park Hill, Moseley, Birmingham B13 18DT
fax: 0121 434 3270
email: contact@ukppg.org.uk
website: www.ukppg.org.uk
College of Mental Health Pharmacists
(contact details same as UKPPG)
www.ukppg.org.uk/cmhp.html
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Health services management
Under the current structure of the NHS, the commissioning and purchasing of health care are separated from its provision, and there are various levels of management in hospitals, community health services and primary care. Hospital and unit managers are not necessarily trained in medicine or nursing. Many universities and colleges offer courses in health science, some of which are designed to equip people to go into health service management and related areas. These areas include project management, contract monitoring, clinical audit and other areas of health service research, information and education services, which will often relate specifically to mental health services. Jobs in this area are advertised in the national press (The Guardian, Telegraph,
The Independent, Times, and in The Health Service Journal).
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Social support
Social work
Social workers may offer support and guidance to people experiencing an emotional crisis, as well as practical help such as advice on welfare benefits or finding accommodation. Most social workers are employed by social services departments, social care trusts, the probation service, or independent agencies. The settings they work in include hospitals, day centres, hostels and prisons. They also work with people living in the community.
A psychiatric social worker is a specialist mental health worker who works closely with individuals and families to support them through crises or in the longer term. If hospital-based, their role may also involve helping people prepare for leaving the hospital.
An Approved Social Worker (ASW) is a qualified social worker who has undergone additional training and been approved by the local authority to carry out various designated functions under the Mental Health Act 1983. An ASW has a role in mental health assessment to be undertaken jointly with medical professionals in order to ascertain whether compulsory admission to hospital is necessary. ASWs have a particular responsibility to examine alternatives to hospitalisation.
From 2003, professional training for social workers changed to a degree in social work approved by the General Social Care Council (GSCC) in England. It has been introduced in Wales since 2004. This replaces the diploma in social work (DipSW).
The approved degree is usually taken as a three-year undergraduate course; graduates from other disciplines may be offered the opportunity to complete the degree in two years. There are also part-time and distance learning courses that cover longer periods. Some universities offer employment-based routes into social work in partnership with local employers.
For all courses, applicants are required to have had experience in a social work or social care setting.
General Social Care Council
Goldings House, 2 Hay’s Lane, London SE1 2HB
tel: 020 7397 5100
email: info@gscc.org.uk
website: www.gscc.org.uk
Care Council for Wales
6th Floor, South Gate House, Wood Street, Cardiff CF10 1EW
tel: 029 2022 6257
email: info@ccwales.org.uk
website: www.ccwales.org.uk
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Other areas of social support
With the increase in numbers of people with mental health problems living in the community, there are many opportunities for working in various areas offering support, such as housing and day care.
There is a broad range of community-based supported housing projects for people with mental health problems. These range from nursing and care homes, to hostels and outreach support projects with people living in their own homes. Day care projects can range from day hospitals to day centres and drop in centres. Some offer a highly structured programme of activities, while others offer an informal setting for social activities. Other organisations run employment projects and sheltered employment for people with mental health problems.
Some colleges offer postgraduate courses in relevant specialisms, such as housing or social care, but it is also possible to work in these areas without such specialist qualifications. Many social care employers offer the opportunity for workers to gain National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs) through on the job training and assessment. Much of this type of social support is provided by voluntary organisations, such as Mind, or housing charities. Jobs in this area are advertised in The Guardian on Wednesdays, in local papers, in minority ethnic papers such as The Voice and Asian Times, and in the weekly specialist press such as Community Care.
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Probation
Mentally distressed people who are convicted of an offence may serve their sentence either in hospital or in prison. Probation officers can offer people help when they leave prison or hospital, particularly in terms of finding work and accommodation and resettling in the community. They also work with mentally distressed people coming up for trial.
National Association of Probation Officers
4 Chivalry Road, Battersea, London SW11 1HT
tel: 020 7223 4887
email: info@napo.org.uk
website: www.napo.org.uk
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What if you have no qualifications?
Housing projects and day centres for people experiencing mental distress often have openings for unqualified staff. Residential posts are usually advertised as vacancies for residential support workers, care officers, care assistants or welfare assistants, and day care posts may be advertised as day care officers or care assistants. Hospitals employ nursing auxiliaries, domestic staff and porters, while social services departments provide opportunities for people who want to be social work assistants, home helps, or domiciliary care assistants.
Jobs like these can give you valuable experience that may lead to a qualifying course at a later stage. Many social care employers offer the opportunity for work-based training leading towards gaining an NVQ.
Try contacting your local social services department or district health authority for information on vacancies. Employment agencies and Job Centres are worth contacting and there are often advertisements for this kind of work in local and national newspapers. The following magazines and newspapers usually carry advertisements for vacancies in mental health settings: Community Care, Health Services Journal, Nursing Times, The Guardian (Wednesdays) and The Voice.
Many colleges now welcome mature students and offer courses with a flexible structure so that people are able to combine study and work.
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Voluntary work
A good way of getting first-hand experience in the mental health field is to work as a volunteer. The experience you gain as a volunteer may be useful in terms of getting paid work or a place on a course. To find out more, contact your local social services department or volunteer bureau. Organisations like Mind welcome volunteers. Contact MindinfoLine for details of local Mind associations, or use the search facility on the website.
Volunteering England
Regents Wharf, 8 All Saints Street, London N1 9RL
tel: 020 7520 8900
email: information@volunteeringengland.org
website: www.volunteering.org.uk
If you want to make a full-time commitment to voluntary work, you could contact Community Service Volunteers, an organisation that finds openings lasting from four months to a year for volunteers between the ages of 16 and 35. This period of time is spent away from home, but volunteers get free board and lodging, plus expenses and pocket money.
National Association for Voluntary and Community Action (NAVCA)
177 Arundel Street, Sheffield S1 2NU
tel: 0114 278 6636
email: navca@navca.org.uk
website: www.navca.org.uk
Wales Council for Voluntary Action (WCVA)
Baltic House, Mount Stuart Square, Cardiff CF10 5FH
tel: 0870 607 1666
email: help@wcva.org.uk
website: www.wcva.org.uk
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Further reading
Factsheets
A brief guide to who’s who in mental health
Employing people with mental health problems
Seeking employment
Booklets
Making sense of cognitive behaviour therapy
Making sense of counselling
Making sense of psychotherapy and psychoanalysis
Mind guide to advocacy
Understanding talking treatments
Mind legal briefing
Disability Discrimination Act
This factsheet was originally written by George Stewart. Updated by Rachael Twomey, Mind Information Unit, April 2005.
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