Do you think taking a postgraduate course in mental health is a good idea? Studying further in a particular field is generally helpful for people to get further in their respective careers, but pursuing a postgraduate Mental Health degree is one course that can benefit professionals across a range of different industries.
Consider this: you’re a business owner with a team of employees. Unfortunately, some of them suffer from mental health issues; how do you deal with them? We believe a graduate certificate offers valuable insight into mental health that can help people in several industries, and here’s how:
1. It increases your awareness of the importance of mental health
We’ve already touched on this point, but doing a graduate certificate in mental health can increase your awareness and understanding of the mental health issues that surround us daily. According to the World Health Organization, 1 in 8 people struggle with a mental health condition. To put that in perspective, that’s around 970 people worldwide on average. Scary right?
A graduate-level mental health qualification will give you an overview of a variety of mental health conditions and how to properly handle people who struggle with them. Furthermore, studying this would also give you insight into your own mental health, providing you with the knowledge and skills to care for your mental health and manage any issues that you may experience through the course of your life.
2. It can help you improve the lives of others
As a person in a position of authority over others, you’ll be more aware of employees who are struggling with mental health issues. If you have studied mental health, you may potentially be able to help them through their situations in the workplace which could make their jobs easier and may even improve productivity. Likewise, with the knowledge you gain from doing a graduate certificate in mental health, you can also participate in helping these individuals recover, and play a significant role in improving their lives.
3. You can make a meaningful contribution to society
Depending on the degree you have prior to studying for a graduate certificate in mental health, you could work as a medical professional who makes a meaningful difference in their community. You could aid the homeless, unemployed, poverty-stricken, or education sector.
You can contribute positively to your community by helping those less fortunate overcome their mental health issues. This could potentially improve their relationships with loved ones and friends, creating a win-win situation for everyone.
4. There are great employment opportunities
The medical industry is expanding fast! New methods and technological advances are making medical care more effective and accessible for people. The same applies to the mental health field. By studying mental health, you position yourself to pursue a career in nursing, psychiatry, therapy, child health, counselling, rehabilitation, or other mental health-related careers. Remember that your degree before your graduate certificate in mental health will also influence this.
5. It offers high job satisfaction
Some people are completely content with working in an environment where they don’t have to engage much with people, but other people have an inbuilt desire to engage with others on a meaningful level. If you prefer a rewarding career and make a significant difference in the lives of others, then working as a mental health professional might be something to strive towards.
In a position where you’re trained to deal with mental health issues, regardless of whether you’re a medical professional or a human resources manager, you’ll find that when you walk a road with someone with mental health issues, you will see their failings as well as their victories. There is so much satisfaction that comes from experiencing helping someone achieve their goals or overcome a struggle.
6. You can develop new skills
As you study a mental health degree, you will learn a range of new skills you can use in everyday life and in a professional context. Skills such as empathy, teamwork, communication, patience, and resilience can help you deal with mental health cases as well as basic interactions with people on a day-to-day basis.
You’ll learn how to navigate difficult situations with people and provide effective solutions to problems or simply just listen. You may also learn to support and encourage individuals when they need it most.
7. You can improve your research methodology
Finally, studying for a graduate certificate in mental health will change the way that you deal with people and how you think about things. Through research, you will learn to process and develop important analytical skills that can help you in a variety of industries. At the same time, you’ll hone your problem-solving and critical-thinking skills, improving your ability to deal with difficult situations.
Where can you study for a graduate certificate in mental health?
If you’re ready to study for a graduate certificate in mental health but you’re unsure of where to study, here’s a helpful page to check out from Victoria University. Here you’ll find all you need to know about applying for and studying a graduate certificate in mental health. You’ll also be able to contact a student enrollment advisor who you can ask anything you need to know about the course.
Final thoughts
The mental health industry isn’t for everyone. That said, for those who have a passion for how the human mind works and empathy for those who struggle with mental health issues, studying a post-graduate course on mental health can provide you with the skills and insight needed to effectively help change society for the better, one mind at a time.
