Roughly 26.2 percent of American adults suffer from mental disorders such as schizophrenia, anxiety, autism in a given year.
These statistics hit you like a ton of bricks! These days, people have become more aware of mental illnesses, and a few of them even volunteer to reach out to the people suffering from such disorders.
As per statistics, over 20,000 social workers currently work with adults in England, and a third of them are estimated to be working with mental health centers.
Social workers need to be good listeners and empathizers while also negotiating and analyzing things. They work face-to-face with mentally distressed individuals and communicate with their families, the police, and the courts.
If you would like to make a difference to this particular community, here’s a step-by-step guide that would help you become a mental health social worker:
Work Experience –
It’s very important to gain real experience working as a social worker. You could volunteer to work for a charity or as an assistant to a social worker. This will help you gauge your aptitude and capabilities in the mental health space.
Qualifications Required –
Undergraduates will need a bachelor’s degree in social work, available in universities worldwide. Graduates can enroll in a two-year master’s course in social work.
These universities will select you based on your level of empathy, communication skills, ability to work under pressure, and data analyzing skills. It’s not so easy to get admission since the competition is huge.
You may also apply for one of the selective fast-track schemes that allow you to attain a master’s degree as well as on-the-job experience. These courses provide both theoretical knowledge and job placements.
Seeking Employment –
You now have formal mental health social work training. What’s next?
The final step is to find a suitable job. NHS mental health trusts and some local organizations hire mental health social workers to work with community mental health centers. Others also seek employment in charities or work with private NGOs.
As more and more people become victims of mental health issues, the demand for mental health services keeps growing each year.
Despite the challenges involved, it’s a job that would make you feel content and bring a huge difference to others’ lives.