What next? Can't work in mental health anymore

[Stbextherapist]

I'm a mental health professional in the NHS earning about 45k per year.

I don't want to work in mental health anymore: it's overwhelming and relentless and exhausting and due to a change in my personal circumstances, I simply don't have the reserves of emotional energy required to do the job ethically for much longer. I'm keen to leave the sector before I'm completely burnt out, so am exploring career change ideas. I have worked in a few different areas of mental health and am dual qualified so I know a sideways move isn't an option for me.

I need to earn at least 35k. No dependents to worry about.

I don't want to work in health or social care or specifically with vulnerable, distressed or disadvantaged people. I do enjoy helping people generally so am open to customer service type roles working with the general population.

I have zero aptitude for STEM/data/IT etc and am not keen to work with children but am good at and enjoy communicating and meeting with a huge variety of people. Very strong social and soft skills.

I can't drive due to medical reasons but am happy to travel by train etc if needed.

I would love to work in something outdoorsy/nature-based but realistically am probably not practical enough e.g. I started a horticultural qualification but really struggled with it.

Very interested in history and spent many years working with books. I thought about looking into librarian work but understand that libraries rely heavily on volunteers and paid work is hard to come by.

I'm a bit stuck and would be so grateful for any suggestions as to ideas to explore next. Thanks!

Hmm. Have you looked at graduate schemes to see if anything fits/appeals? If you get a place with a big company they tend to do rotations around the business so you can find where best suits you.

How would you feel about sales roles or professional services?

Might be worth asking MN to move your post to mature study/retraining board for traffic.

www.mumsnet.com/talk/mature_students

How about a library assistant role? most local councils advertise these quite regularly. If you are coastal in terms of your geographical location that may open up some avenues to do outdoorsy work?

Whereabouts are you based? In London (and likely elsewhere) many housing associations will start you off as a housing officer without previous housing experience, it’s varied, out and about, interesting, but not too emotionally draining.

HR in large organisation, specifically in-house training and workshop facilitation? Our HR offers a lot of in house training to support people developing soft skills such as teamwork, communication, resilience, time management etc. You could capitalise on your people skills.

Not if OP wants 35k...

What about commissioning, or other ancillary areas? Which region do you work in? Check out jobs in the ICS

I’ve just done the same thing for the same reasons! Have left mental health nursing and decided I don’t want anything to do with healthcare ever again. I’m now an accounts manager.

Academia? I'm with you I'm nearly done

@LadyMonicaBaddingham oops! Missed that important factor!

I’m an RMN who is desperate to leave but I’m pushing 50 so no motivation for retraining and do need the money right now.

I’m interested to read people’s ideas and checking in to share your pain.

My plan, such as it is, continue for a few more years unless I have a total breakdown and then move to Bank, a couple of days or nights a week. I’m band 7 currently, at band 6 bank I could earn quite well but leave all the stress and responsibility behind.

Could you look at pastoral/support roles in higher education? I only have small parts of my role which are student facing but they are very rewarding and you work with!

Have you thought about looking at charity roles. I suspect your experience would be a real plus for you.

Thanks all, some great ideas to think about!

.....have you thought about archaeology? There are various areas of archaeology too! If your interested in history and don't want to be out in the field involved in digs the majority of the time, you could take a more admin role or combine the two? Other related work could be a job in a museum? Quite a lot of jobs in archaeology require a degree. You could attend a college/university part-time, or study online, which is becoming more and more popular way to study. There are also diplomas and certificates to get you started in particular subjects within archaeology your interested in that could lead to work. You could also take part in digs while you study. This can be valuable practical experience, while studying online. Though college or university courses will include these as part of your studies. Good luck what ever you choose to do!

There are paid librarians positions. Do have a look. Most libraries will be accessible by train and bus

What about being a mentor, coach, counselor in a private organisation ?

Could you leave front line and move into a training role?

For which you are likely to need a relevant undergraduate degree or a master’s. They tend to be very tech/IT heavy too.

Have you considered moving to third sector training or consultancy in a similar field? Little to no client contact but can use your knowledge and skillset to improve and advise. Services.

I work in a library. Assistant pay is approx 24k a year and not many full time roles. As we are often the only open public building we deal with a lot of mental health, homelessness, anti social behaviour and lots of IT. It's definitely the public's idea of how lovely it is to work in a library.

Is it just the front line/NHS work you want to leave behind or is it anything to do with mental health altogether? Because I can imagine a project manager or advisory role in a mental health charity or public health, something like that?

I don't where you are based OP but if your keyboarding and IT skills are decent you could work as an Executive Assistant. I know a couple of EAs that earn really good money as their boss is so dependent on them. Excellent people skills are essential, plus organization, professionalism and calm demeanor

Oh my goodness I could have written this post!! In exactly the same position but working in CAMHS frontline and I just can't do it anymore.

Following with interest.

I'm still in this post. Totally burnt out. About to start night shift on crisis team.

Oh goodness, that's tough. I'm trying to get out but no idea what I can do instead