Perspectives from an Enhanced Mental Health Support Worker
16 Aug, 20241-2 minutes
In this blog, you will learn:
- The career path of an Enhanced Mental Health Support Worker.
- The key qualities that make a successful Mental Health Worker.
- Rewarding aspects of mental health support work.
- Where the latest Mental Health Support Worker jobs are and how to apply for them.
Mental Health Support Workers play a crucial role in supporting patients as well as providing emotional support for the families of the patient.
According to The King’s Fund, the rate of mental health workforce growth and retention has been insufficient to meet the current demand and planned expansion of services.
The healthcare industry is trying to encourage more individuals to pursue the profession of a Mental Health Support Worker to help keep up with demand.
We’ve been catching up with Enhanced Mental Health Support Worker, Thato Matlhare, to discover what it’s really like to work in this profession and what the role of an Enhanced Mental Health Support Worker involves.
Since embarking on a career in mental health, Thato has completed various training courses to ensure that he can provide the best support to his clients. Through his outstanding achievements, he’s managed to work his way up to an Enhanced Mental Health Support Worker.
Thato is driven by supporting individuals through tough times and making a real difference in someone's life.
Thato, tell us about your career so far.
My career in mental health support began shortly after I graduated with a degree in Sports Psychology from St Mary’s University in 2022.
I joined my current workplace in 2023 as a Mental Health Support Worker, where I’ve gained extensive experience working with clients to manage their mental health challenges.
Over the years, I’ve completed various training, including a Level 2 Counselling Course which gave me the knowledge I needed to advance to the role of Enhanced Support Worker.
My journey has been characterised by continuous learning, client-centred care and a deep commitment to improving the wellbeing of those who I support.
What inspired you to become an Enhanced Mental Health Support Worker?
I was inspired to become an Enhanced Mental Health Support Worker by my desire to make a tangible difference in people’s lives.
During my studies in psychology, I became passionate about understanding the complexities of mental health and how support systems can positively impact recovery.
The opportunity to directly support individuals facing mental health challenges and to help them navigate their journeys toward stability, was a driving force behind my career choice.
What does your role involve as an Enhanced Mental Health Support Worker?
My role as an Enhanced Mental Health Support Worker involves conducting assessments, developing personalised support and risk management plans and providing day-to-day emotional and practical support to clients.
I work closely with other professionals such as Psychiatrists and Social Workers, to ensure that every client’s needs are met holistically.
I’m also involved in crisis intervention, safeguarding and supporting clients in maintaining their tenancies and living environments.
What areas of mental health support work do you find particularly rewarding?
I find the process of helping clients achieve their personal goals and regain control over their lives to be particularly rewarding.
Seeing clients progress, whether it's through small victories like managing daily tasks independently or significant breakthroughs in their mental health, is incredibly fulfilling.
The opportunity to build trusting relationships and provide consistent, compassionate support makes my job deeply meaningful.
What challenges do you commonly face in your role and how do you overcome them?
One common challenge I face is managing crisis situations, such as when a client experiences a severe mental health episode. These situations require quick thinking, strong de-escalation skills and the ability to stay calm under pressure.
I overcome these challenges by relying on my training such as the techniques I learnt in my counselling course and working closely with my team to ensure that we provide coordinated and effective support.
What advice would you give to someone considering a career as an Enhanced Mental Health Support Worker?
I would advise anyone considering the career of an Enhanced Mental Health Support Worker to be prepared for both the emotional demands and the rewards of the job.
It’s important to be compassionate, patient and resilient as well as open to continuous learning.
Building strong communication skills and a solid understanding of mental health conditions are also crucial for success within this field.
Do you have any specific goals or aspirations for your career?
My immediate goal is to complete the Mental Health First Aider course which will further enhance my ability to support clients during crisis.
In the longer term, I aspire to pursue a career as a qualified Psychologist, with a particular interest in becoming an Educational Psychologist.
This would allow me to apply my skills and knowledge in a specialised area, helping children and young people overcome mental health challenges and succeed in their educational environments.
In your opinion, what are the key qualities that make a successful Enhanced Mental Health Support Worker?
The key qualities that I think are essential are empathy, patience, strong communication skills and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations.
A successful Enhanced Mental Health Support Worker should also be adaptable, resilient and committed to ongoing professional development to stay current with best practices in mental health care.
Additionally, I believe that it’s important for job roles in mental health support to be well-compensated so workers don't have to endure intense hours just to make an average salary.
Fair compensation would not only reflect the demanding nature of the work but also improve employee satisfaction and retention within this field.
What changes would you like to see to improve mental health support?
I would like to see greater integration of mental health services with other areas of healthcare to provide more holistic support to clients.
Increased funding and resources for mental health services, especially in community settings, would also help to ensure that more people can access the support they need.
Additionally, fighting the stigma that even employees may hold against individuals with mental health issues and drug abuse is crucial as these challenges are often interlinked and deserve compassion and understanding.
Reducing stigma is essential not only for the clients but also for creating a more supportive and inclusive work environment.
What do you love most about working as an Enhanced Mental Health Support Worker?
What I love most about working as an Enhanced Mental Health Support Worker is the opportunity to make a real difference in someone’s life.
Being able to support individuals through challenging times and see them achieve their goals is incredibly rewarding. The relationships I build with clients and the trust they place in me are what make this work so fulfilling.
Mental Health Support Worker jobs
If you’re searching for your next Mental Health Support Worker job, why not take a look at the latest vacancies, or simply upload your CV to be notified when a relevant position becomes available.
Metal Health Support Work recruitment services
As healthcare recruitment specialists, we support local authorities and private sector businesses nationwide with their temporary, interim and permanent recruitment needs.
If you’re struggling to fill a Mental Health Support Worker vacancy, why not get in touch with our healthcare specialist, Kaylah Henderson on 01772 954200 to see how we can help?
Share your experience
Every individual brings a unique set of experiences, thoughts, and insights to the table. We believe in giving a voice to a community of professionals to inspire positive change and champion reform in the healthcare sector.
If you work in the healthcare sector and would like to share your own personal and professional experiences, we’d love to hear from you. Perhaps you have a different perspective, could offer a fresh angle, or want to challenge assumptions.
Simply reach out to our Head of Content, Nicole Sherwood, to discuss a collaboration which makes your voice count.
Who is Spencer Clarke Group?
Established in 2017, we’re a vibrant and progressive recruitment agency based in the heart of the North West.
We continually reimagine the recruitment process to challenge convention and defy expectations; from creating a better recruitment experience to remodelling employee engagement, we thrive off doing things differently and turning heads along the way.
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