Working as a mental health support worker?

[dreadfulcrow]

I've got an interview later this week for a job as a mental health support worker at a residential home. I don't have any experience of this type of work but I applied as it said that full training would be given, I enjoy helping people and am interested in mental health.

However, I'm now having doubts for a few reasons: the pay is a bit less than my current job (which I hate), and I'm worried I'll be really bad at it and fail the people I'm supposed to be helping.

I've researched what the job entails and watched videos, but most of the information I can find is coming from employers who are trying to draw people in. Does anyone here have experience of this type of work and can tell me more about what it's like, what skills/qualities I would need to have to be good at it, is it worth taking a pay cut for something potentially more fulfilling and what kinds of other opportunities I can progress onto if I take this job?

I think it can be a fab job, with the right team. The best teams have supportive people above them to give advice and confidence, that’s really key.

You need patience, but also to be assertive. To be diligent enough to read the notes and remember what the plan is for each patient, but also to be able to get to know them as a person and connect with them.

It would be good experience for someone hoping to go into mental health nursing, or training as some kind of therapist.

I think it absolutely is worth a pay cut to move to a job you will enjoy from one you hate, but it does depend on how tight money is and whether you can afford the drop in income.

Bear in mind a job interview works both ways. It’s not just checking if you could do the job, it’s also a chance for you to learn more about the role and see if it would be a good fit for you.

I used to do this and really regret leaving.

Based on my experience I would say that no 2 days are the same. Some days were so boring I could have fallen asleep. Others I barely had time to pee, let alone take a lunch break.

You need a sense of humor and a thick skin. You need to be a good listener and don't judge. I had some wild conversations at work. I also heard Some awful stuff.
Sometimes you have to be quite strict with your own boundaries, or whatever the rules are. EG a patient trying to persuade you that one drink/cigarette/whatever won't do any harm.

Thank you both x

Hi Op
I do support work with people who have mental health issues, but I'm community based - so quite different.
The fact that you are going to be residential based is a huge plus point. There will be other support workers around you who can guide you, and who you can learn from.

It genuinely doesn't matter that you don't have any previous experience. In a residential setting, there will be enough workers who have skills and knowledge - and you will build that up over time.

In the first instance, just take people as you find them. Stay compassionate and non-judgemental. Be enthusiastic and curious. Get to know your clients as individual people, and give them the best version of yourself.
Treat your clients as human beings, and take the time to find out about their difficulties.
Once you've built an authentic relationship with them, you'll find your own way to support them.

It's hard sometimes, and it can be relentless. And sometimes you'll feel like you're wading through treacle uphill.
But it's an amazing job. You'll find someone who you make a connection with, and you'll feel like you're in the best job in the world ❤️.

Good luck x

I' do this, working from a base in the community . People use us as a drop in service and often then move to having regular one to one support sessions. It is very rewarding and every day is different. As a previous poster said, some days can be really slow and other days can be manic with no time for notes, lunch or visits to the loo.

Being part of a supportive team is what makes it possible. We see people with awful backgrounds and of course, much of the clients' 'stuff' can be very triggering. I've often needed to offload on colleagues after seeing a client.

In a residential establishment you'll be having longer to build up a relationship with the residents. Something to bear in mind is to leave your work behind when you get home. And to keep boundaries up with clients. They are not your friends and overstepping boundaries can be damaging for staff and clients. Eg, when I was new I felt very much for one person and wanted to support them more than appropriate. I talked this through with my manager who advised me very wisely. The manager was right, they had far more issues than I could cope with and getting closer would have meant letting the client down.

The days when you say goodbye to someone who is in a much better place than they were when they first came into the the service is what makes it all so very very worthwhile. Or, on a heavier note, when someone is considering ending their life and you help them make a plan to be safe and to work towards a better future. We go home wiped out but knowing we've made a big difference. I've never had work like this before.

Worrying that you'll be no good is a good sign, in my opinion. It shows that you care and have the right values. The training will be good and you'll have colleagues to share with. Often, what a lot of people need is to be heard and encouraged to try things that will help their path to recovery.

Good luck with the interview.

It’s tough work, physically and mentally draining, but immensely rewarding.

Thanks for the replies, they've been really helpful :)

I did this type of work previously. You've had some great replies. It's difficult to know but depending on the type of residential setting you might want to ask about lone working - is it a residential home or is it supported accommodation where you may be on your own for all/part of a shift?
I agree that it can be very rewarding. I still think about people I worked with years ago and wonder how they're getting on now. Boundaries are extremely important though both for yourself and the client. I've seen people end up in difficult situations because they blurred the boundary between worker and friend. Its also important to find ways to switch off after work, it can be difficult to detach sometimes depending on what has happened that day.
It can be an emotional roller coaster of experiences from genuinely funny times where you've just laughed all day with a client, to sad and distressing and sometimes scary incidents. It's a hugely underestimated role but overall I loved my work and as I say, have memories and experiences that have stayed with me for years. In terms of being worried you can't do it, I learned so much during my time as a support worker. Best of luck with the interview!

Hello dreadfulcrow, how did you get on at the interview, and did you get the job?

I'm also interested in this kind of work and am very keen to hear anyone's experiences and insights.