What are the most important skills for a Mental Health Worker?
#July #JULY20 #JULY2020#mental-health-counseling #mental-health #personality #health #public-health
7 answers
Deborah D.’s Answer
I worked for many years in an inner city acute care facility. I was an office manager in both Physical Therapy, and Behavioral Health. The interconnections between these two departments should be considered in evaluating the interpersonal skills needed to treat challenged patients. I wish I could tell you how many times, (years later), I would see the same patients I had treated in Physical Therapy, now being treated in Behavioral Health, The body can heal, but often the mind just can't adapt to the "New Normal"
My best advice is empathetic communication.
It is also very important to stay grounded and have a disciplined self care routine.
Deborah D. recommends the following next steps:
Racheal Noble, Ph.D., LMFT, LPC, NCC
Racheal’s Answer
After almost a decade of experience as a licensed mental health professional it's important to think about both your professional and personal goals and reason for wanting to enter into this profession.
Many times over people come in for reason to "save the world 🌎 " then hate it do it burnout. Others enter because they think they can help someone of something they have been through, but they end up feeling overwhelmed by their on traumas.
No one is perfect, and that's okay because you don't need to be to do mental health work. However think carefully on what it is that you want to give and receive from this profession.
Research different programs and learn the curriculum of the different courses of the programs, faculty, mission, goals, traditions, history and future plans. Call and ask for a tour. Make sure you have great people who will speak highly of you and shoot yo shot!! Good luck
Racheal recommends the following next steps:
Candice Robinson, BS, NCPT-4
Candice’s Answer
2. Good Listener - Showing a patient that you are giving full attention to what they are saying. Allows patients to feel safe and comfortable expressing how they feel.
3. Helpful - Observing and being welcoming. Creating an environment where you and the patient can work together to lead to positive outcomes.
Tequila’s Answer
Debbie Yoro’s Answer
1. To be self aware (especially about our own emotions)
2. To have Emotional regulation
3. Listening skills, reflection and validation
4. Mindfulness skills (mental flexibility too!)
5. To be able to find balance in your life and know when a break is needed.
6. Self Compassion
These Resiliency Skills (which includes the above) help prevent burnout.
Debbie Yoro recommends the following next steps:
Hoang’s Answer
Great question! It sounds as if you are exploring career options in the helping profession.
Healthcare professionals are often the givers, they are the friends you often go to for advice. They are often valued by their friends as "great listeners". Often times, healthcare workers have an innate tendency to serve and look out for other people and thus are highly valued in society. They often show a strong level of emotional intelligence and maturity as these people often spend most of their time improving the lives of those around them. From my perspective, some important characteristics of mental health professionals include strong empathy skills, ability to tolerate ambiguity, and emotional intelligence (being in tune with others' emotions)
Hoang recommends the following next steps:
Amy’s Answer
1. Empathy! You have to be able to see the issues/problems through your client's eyes in order to understand his/her pain/anxiety.
2. Listen! You have to listen to your client and let him/her speak without interruption. Your client wants you to "hear" him/her.
3. Teach! Teaching coping skills is so helpful to arm your client with skills to use when needed.
4. Encourage! Encourage your client to be his/her best and do what he/she wants to do but is afraid to do it.
5. Be Educated! Know how differences in gender, race, sexual identity, socioeconomics, etc. affect different groups in our society.
6. Care! Be caring and supportive, because you may be the only person who is in your client's corner.
I love being a mental health care worker!