How Mental Health Support Workers Make a Difference

There are many different professions that contribute to Canada’s mental health care system and each one provides a unique and necessary service. In recent years, Canada has seen an increase in demand for mental health and addictions support workers. If you are considering becoming a mental health support worker then you will want to know exactly how support workers contribute to the well-being of others. We are going to show you what a support worker’s job entails, how their work helps others, and how you can start a career as a mental health support worker through Ashton College’s Mental Health and Addictions Support Worker Certificate program.

The Work

Mental health and addictions support workers will find work as part of multi-disciplinary teams in a variety of health care settings, including institutional, residential, and community-based. Workplaces can vary from hospitals and clinics to residential care homes and community health centres.

Support workers are not involved in the diagnosis of clients, but they do provide clients with the support they need for daily living. Support workers are committed to client treatment and rehabilitation by creating a safe and welcoming environment for clients and observing their clients’ actions to keep track of their health, progress, environment, and any issues that may arise.

The clients for mental health support services are people who struggle with addiction or other mental health issues that impede their ability to function on a daily basis. It is the goal of mental health support workers to help clients to live independently.

How it Helps

Support workers receive mental health worker training in order to have a working knowledge of mental illnesses and substance abuse, as well as to learn ways to help individuals cope with their illnesses, reduce risk and find suitable treatment options. Not only do support workers serve as someone for a client to talk to, but a support worker is also able to refer their client to services that can help them improve their quality of life. 

Individuals who suffer from mental illness have an increased chance of improving their quality of life if they have an adequate support network. Mental health support workers are often the starting point of that support network.

What it Takes

Mental health support workers need to firmly believe that people with serious mental illnesses can get better. Workers in this area also benefit from having strong interpersonal skills, patience, organizational skills, and keen powers of observation. The job of a support worker is not an easy one, but it can be incredibly rewarding to see a client’s life improve right before your eyes.

In addition to the above, mental health workers also need a quality education to succeed in their work. Ashton College’s Mental Health and Addictions Support Worker Certificate program will provide aspiring support workers with the practical skills they need to enter the field.

Education

Ashton College’s addictions and mental health program are designed to help students enter the field immediately by providing them with career-ready knowledge and skills. Students will gain an in-depth understanding of mental illnesses, interventions, concurrent disorders, complex casework, health promotion, prevention and harm reduction throughout the program. The program also includes a practicum to give students first-hand experience that will allow for a smoother transition into their new career.

Take the Next Step 

If you are looking to get started on a mental health support worker career then the best first step is to get the right education. Ashton College’s Mental Health and Addictions Support Worker Certificate program promises to give you everything you need to get started down this career path. Learn more about the program and upcoming start dates by visiting ashtoncollege.ca

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