3 answers
Amaya
Student
Rochester, Minnesota
5
Questions
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As a PMH or mental health professionals What do you think the most important part of your job is? ?
I'm doing a research project o careers I'm interested in and was wondering whats it like.
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3 answers
Annah Edmonds
Licensed Clinical Counselor and Art Therapist
144
Answers
Seattle, Washington
Updated
Annah’s Answer
Amaya! Great question, and a unique one! As an art therapist and licensed mental health clinician, the most important thing is to know yourself very well. It is crucial to have good self-care, engage in your own therapy, and have ongoing supervision. The learning is constant. This will allow you to be successful in any helping role. You must also have great empathy, be curious about your patients, and open minded. In public health I work with every kind of person; I may not always personally agree with their life choices or beliefs. This is not relevant. My job is to support people with their goals for treatment and to be deeply interested in their own influences, motives and capacity to implement change. It's like a dance. Outside the box thinking is definitely necessary at times.
Chinyere Okafor
Educationist and Counseling Psychologist
907
Answers
Port Harcourt, Rivers, Nigeria
Updated
Chinyere’s Answer
Hello Amaya,
Good question! As a Psychiatric Mental Health (PMH) professional, I think the most important part of my job is "building trust and connection with patients". Mental health can be deeply personal, and many people feel vulnerable sharing their thoughts and emotions. Being someone they feel safe opening up to is a huge responsibility—and an honor.
It’s also vital to "help patients understand they’re not alone" and to provide them with the tools and support they need to navigate their challenges, whether through therapy, medication management, or simply being there to listen.
Another crucial aspect is "advocating for mental health awareness" and breaking the stigma. By educating others and treating patients with compassion, we contribute to a larger movement toward acceptance and understanding.
The work is challenging, but knowing you’re helping someone on their journey to healing and growth is incredibly fulfilling!
Best wishes!
Good question! As a Psychiatric Mental Health (PMH) professional, I think the most important part of my job is "building trust and connection with patients". Mental health can be deeply personal, and many people feel vulnerable sharing their thoughts and emotions. Being someone they feel safe opening up to is a huge responsibility—and an honor.
It’s also vital to "help patients understand they’re not alone" and to provide them with the tools and support they need to navigate their challenges, whether through therapy, medication management, or simply being there to listen.
Another crucial aspect is "advocating for mental health awareness" and breaking the stigma. By educating others and treating patients with compassion, we contribute to a larger movement toward acceptance and understanding.
The work is challenging, but knowing you’re helping someone on their journey to healing and growth is incredibly fulfilling!
Best wishes!
Gerald J Olseski Jr
Certified Peer Support Specialist
44
Answers
Riverview, Michigan
Updated
Gerald J’s Answer
I am a Peer Support Specialist and I would have to say actively listening to the person and being able to walk in the other person's shoes is really important.
Make sure you do not give advice as it can be harmful and not always helpful.
Sometimes people just need someone to just be there for them.
The best way to be there for someone, in need is to just be there.
It is helpful to not say anything.
Let the person who came to you, speak first.
I know, you are going to wonder, what Am I to do if they do not know what to say?
In that case you can ask questions.
Some questions you can ask are as follows:
How is your day going?
What is on your mind?
I understand ___________Would you like to tell me more about it?
How are you doing today?
These are just some of the questions you could ask someone.
Make sure you do not give advice as it can be harmful and not always helpful.
Sometimes people just need someone to just be there for them.
The best way to be there for someone, in need is to just be there.
It is helpful to not say anything.
Let the person who came to you, speak first.
I know, you are going to wonder, what Am I to do if they do not know what to say?
In that case you can ask questions.
Some questions you can ask are as follows:
How is your day going?
What is on your mind?
I understand ___________Would you like to tell me more about it?
How are you doing today?
These are just some of the questions you could ask someone.