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Is being a mental health social worker a good fit for you?

Assesses and supports people with mental, emotional or addiction problems, helping them find treatment and recover.

What the work involves

  • Counsels clients one-on-one or in groups about substance abuse, illness, poverty, unemployment or abuse.
  • Works with counsellors, doctors and nurses to plan and coordinate treatment.
  • Monitors, evaluates and records client progress towards treatment goals.
  • Interviews clients, reviews records and talks to other professionals to assess clients' condition.

The interests that suit it

People in this work tend to be helping and curious. Here is how much each of the six kinds of interest comes into it.

Hands-onLow. Building, fixing, and working with tools, machines, animals or the outdoors.
CuriousSome. Finding things out, solving problems, and working with ideas and data.
CreativeLow. Making things: art, writing, music, design and performance.
HelpingStrong. Teaching, caring for and supporting people.
PersuadingLow. Leading, selling, and making the calls.
OrganisingLow. Keeping things in order: records, numbers and systems.

What it tends to reward

Compared with other work, this job stands out for:

  • Mastery. Getting really good at something over time.
  • Belonging. People who look out for each other, and a manager who has your back.

How much training it needs

Degree required. Usually a degree, sometimes more study after. Rules differ from country to country, so check locally before you commit.

Find out if it fits you

Answer quick questions about what you like doing and what keeps you going. We match you with roles from over 900 kinds of work, and you can see if a mental health social worker is one of yours.

Free. About 15 minutes. No account.

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