Working in mental health
A career in mental health is not just a job; your role will have a major impact on patients, their families, and entire communities.
Whether you choose a path in psychiatry, counselling, nursing, or explore the diverse range of therapies and support roles available, you will be part of a fast-developing and important field.
Whether you choose a path in psychiatry, counselling, nursing, or explore the diverse range of therapies and support roles available, you will be part of a fast-developing and important field.
Every position within the mental health sector is pivotal, ensuring that patients receive the right treatment at the right time, and as close to their homes as possible.
What's covered?
What jobs are available?
Find out more about the wide range of roles available in this diverse and important field.
What do different roles involve?
Take a deeper dive into what some roles involve day to day and where they take place.
How can I get
started?
Take some of the first steps to find and apply for your ideal mental heath role.
The Mental Health Skills framework
A comprehensive guide to understand the skills required to successfully apply and thrive in mental health roles.
Find detailed information and guidance on the Mental Health Careers and Skills Framework on our SEL ICS website
What jobs are available in mental health
Psychiatrist
Diagnosing, treating, and managing mental health conditions through medical assessments, medication, and various therapeutic techniques.
Mental health
nurse
Providing nursing care to individuals with mental health conditions.
Occupational
therapist
Helping individuals in improving their ability to perform daily activities, especially after mental health challenges.
Speech and Language Therapist
(SLT)
Assisting people with challenges resulting from conditions like autism or learning disabilities, to improve their communication.
Dietitian
Working with patients who have eating disorders, depression, and anxiety, focusing on how nutrition impacts and supports mental well-being.
Physiotherapist
Assist patients in managing physical symptoms associated with mental health conditions, such as chronic pain related to depression or anxiety.
Art
therapist
Using creative art processes to help individuals express themselves and manage mental health conditions.
Music
therapist
Facilitating therapeutic music sessions to improve mental health and emotional wellbeing. Using music as a tool for expression, relaxation, and communication.
Occupational therapy support worker
Aiding occupational therapists in providing care to those with mental health issues. Assisting with therapy sessions and daily activity planning.
Social worker
(Mental Health)
Supporting individuals with mental health challenges through advocacy, crisis support, and connecting them with community resources.
Peer support
worker
Using personal experiences with mental health to provide support and encouragement to others facing similar challenges.
Recovery worker
Providing practical support to individuals recovering from mental health issues. Assisting with daily activities, goal setting, and accessing community resources.
What do different roles involve?
Peer support worker
Music therapist
Social worker (mental health)
Mental health nurse
It’s always helpful to hear from people doing the job already, and to find out what they enjoy about their role.
Watch this video to hear about some people’s experience of being a mental health nurse and why they find this work so rewarding.
How can I get started?
The good news is that you don’t need existing qualifications or experience to work in mental health care! It’s more important to demonstrate the right values and behaviours.
Embarking on a career in mental health is not just about qualifications or experience; it's about embracing the right approach and mindset.
Using the Mental Health skills framework
We have worked collaboratively with employers and staff to create a comprehensive guide detailing the essential skills for working in mental health roles.
It offers a structured approach to understanding the skills required to successfully apply and thrive in mental health roles. The full framework, along with supporting resources, is available on the SEL ICS website.
Let’s show you an example of how Jordan used the framework to land his dream job in mental health.
Useful resources
There are plenty of resources available to help you identify which role is right for you, develop your skills, and provide more information about a career in mental health.