Ruth Said:

Can a former mental health patient work in the psychiatric field?

We Answered:

It shouldn't be an issue really. As long as you're in recovery and stable on your program, it's all good. The only concern I'd worry about is if there were any legal or police issues when you were ill--since you want to work with children, the *Legal* record might come up if you have one.

Otherwise, if you're well, you're well. ^__^ And it's a poorly-kept secret in the field that a lot of folks in counseling and therapy have had *prior issues*. Some of this could arguably be a de facto job requirement--some degree of empathy with or understanding of the client's life on the other side of the professional "fence". As long as you're well and have *been well* for years and keep on *staying well*, it won't be an issue.

That's just been my experience, as a client who nearly finished his training as an assistant/support group leader of sorts. What you're doing isn't just possible, it's actually somewhat *common and ordinary*. You're not alone.

Allan Said:

How to care for children with mental health or Disorders?

We Answered:

Your question is some what ambiguous, please give more details, as I hire people do work with a child for many years now. I am the father of a developmentally disabled child.

Edit note; One of the very first things I do, is check to insure that the person that is going to be with our son has no record of sex abuse. The second thing that I do is give them very fair warning that I will hurt them very badly if they do anything to him. I always ask if they have any experience with retarded people. I like it when they tell me they have a brother/sister with a like problem. I am less enthused about some one that has experience, we have had them, but we have to unlearn them and teach them how we do it. Tell your friend that she/he must realize that people like my son are just as unique as you or I. They should make sure that who ever does and interview with them that they say that they understand that each of these people are in fact unique and as such needs to be treated with thoughtfulness and respect. I would also advice your friend to up date or do an Initial CPR class before going to the interview, not a requirement but it would be a tie breaker. I would also ask why do they want to do this. If it is just for money I don't hire them. Mostly tell her to be herself

Lynn Said:

Help in dealing with job (counseling mental health patients)?

We Answered:

First of all, you have got to see this as illness, just like cancer or diabetes. Second, you have to realize most of these folks have had some kind of abuse and most have had bad childhoods. If you can't adjust and accept that fact that there are going to be horrible, horrible days and then ok days, then start looking in the help wanted ads

Paula Said:

Is all the schooling worth being a Mental Health Counselor?

We Answered:

I am a professional recruiter and I watch so many degreed professionals who are disenchanted with their chosen profession after some time out in the real world.

I would suggest that you work in the field with your 4yr degree for a short while to solidify your desire to continue. This will allow you to pay down any student loans that you may have.

Then you can then decide if your return on investmet is worth the risk, but helping children at any level is still helping children. What is your motivation, Position, Money, Self Worth, of Satisfaction.

Georgia Said:

Minimum wage jobs in mental health?

We Answered:

The only sort of minimum wage job at a mental health center, etc, is going to be clerical work. You'll need excellent office skills: full set of computer skills (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook, and more), ability to keep an appointment book or whatever software they use for that, excellent phone & message taking abilities, filing, and all the other office chores.

Without at least an appropriate masters degree & license, you cannot do anything whatsoever with patients. A bachelors in Psych is only another Liberal Arts degree and you cannot really do anything with it.

Rodney Said:

Are all mental health counselors serious people?

We Answered:

No, and more often, someone will open up better if you don't just stare at them for 50 minutes as drone on about how that makes them feel. They're serious because they're dealing with extremely serious issues, and they've seen a lot of sad and disheartening things.

You be who you are as long as you're helping the person across from you.