Mental Health

How To Elevate Your Role As A Support Worker

The Unsung Heroes Of Forensic Mental Health

Disclaimer: I bet you didn’t expect to find laughter and excitement in a topic about Forensic Mental Health. But life is full of surprises, and so is this article. My many years of experience in this field of work have definitely given me some insights, and I shall now share some of those insights with you.

1. Master The Art Of Active Listening (No, REALLY Listening)

As a support worker, one of your best tools is the power to listen. It’s not enough to just nod along and wait for the speaker to finish; you must be fully present in the conversation, paying attention to every word.

How can you do that? Active listening, that’s how. As you listen, you can nod and use your body language, giving your listener affirmation you are actually listening. I don’t mean you should be a pigeonhead, no. Just a few nods are okay here and there.

Active listening can be verbal, too. Repeat the odd thing they say to drill it into your mind and remember. Say ‘yes’ sometimes and ‘okay.’ All of this shows the talker you are listening to them actively.

I remember many times this worked. As an example, one patient was talking to me about a sensitive family matter with me. It’s sensitive, so I needed to reflect that sensitivity. Every thirty seconds or so, I would nod, and then when a gap came in their speech, I would say, ‘I see,’ or ‘Okay,’ and this worked wonders for our relationship. Try it.

Pro tip: Every time your mind drifts, imagine their words as lyrics to your favourite song. Trust me, it adds an element of fun and keeps you engaged.

2. Comedy Is Therapy (But Know When to Use It)

While it’s important to stay professional, it doesn’t hurt to bring some humour to the workplace. What would a day at the office be without some good old-fashioned laughter? A superhero without a cape — that’s what!

Remember that as a Support Worker, you will be working with people who can be thinking things you are completely unaware of. For this reason, you should try to keep your comedy in the realm of simplistic and easy-to-understand until you can gauge the other person’s condition. If they are chronic, less comedy may be better. Be sensitive. I once tried this one below, and it worked pretty well.

Why did the scarecrow win an award?

Because he was outstanding in his field! 🌾😂

Pro tip: Keep a stash of funny jokes and hilarious anecdotes in your back pocket — it can be the perfect way to break the ice and lighten up any situation.

3. Embrace The Role Of A Detective

Your clients come to you with a puzzle. A perplexing combination of their emotions, memories, and worries for the future. As a therapist, your job isn’t just to listen but to figure out what goes into that puzzle. Get investigating! Just like the great Sherlock Holmes had his right-hand man (Watson), you should be that sidekick when it comes to helping your clients/patients.

As an example for you, one day, I worked on the ward. A low-secure ward, men only. One patient was particularly aggressive that day with a female co-worker. Why? Well, that was my job, to find out why. Turns out, the patient had had a particularly disturbing dream during their sleep, and this had become a part of their reality that day on the ward. What did I do? I listened to them and let them express themselves. What can you take away from this? Everybody needs someone to listen.

Pro tip: Keep your mind and eyes wide open — you can learn a lot just by examining the evidence closely. 🔍

4. Get Excited About Small Wins

When it comes to recovery, don’t forget the small stuff! It’s all connected. Even if it feels like you’re not making any progress, celebrate every milestone — no matter how small. Your client might’ve been more vocal today or showed interest in a new activity. Give yourself a pat on the back and throw yourself a party — ’cause it’s time to celebrate!

I used to work with someone who was very quiet. He would only give me pieces of his story each week, then retreat to his room. Eventually, I had the full picture and knew exactly how to approach him. This is part of your therapeutic process.

Pro tip: Treat your progress like a jigsaw puzzle. One piece of the puzzle may mean nothing on its own, but when you fit them all together — it’s something special! Celebrate each piece as it becomes part of the bigger picture; every step brings you closer and closer to their recovery! 🧩🎉

5. Learn Continuously: Become the Batman of Mental Health

Batman had all the tools he needed in his trusty utility belt. As a support worker, your knowledge is your own personal utility belt, and it’s important that you keep it stocked with everything you need to help those suffering from mental health issues. Attend seminars, read papers, talk to colleagues — do whatever it takes to make sure you know as much as possible about this ever-evolving field.

While I worked within the NHS, I read books all the time, listened to my peers, and attended whatever meetings I could to further my own knowledge of mental health. You should never assume you know everything.

Pro tip: Just as Batman is ever-prepared with his utility belt, ensure your mental toolkit is always expanding. In the dynamic world of mental health, being proactive in your learning can be the difference between good and great support. Complacency is the enemy of progress; always be a student, even when you’re seen as the expert. 🦇📚

Conclusion: Wear Your Cape With Confidence

No matter what, being a mental health worker is no easy feat. But we, the frontline forces in the war against depression and other mental health issues, are incredibly brave and strong-minded. Our empathy, skill, and determination to make a difference will not go unnoticed. So wear the cape of your noble profession proudly!

Go forth into the battlefield that is forensic mental health services — you’ll be conquering it with confidence and courage. And don’t forget to bring along a few laughs — life would certainly be boring without some humour! Here’s wishing you all the best! 🌟

If you’d like to read more about mental health, you can check out my other articles here.

I’d also like to share another writer’s article with you today. It’s quite moving. Enjoy.

That’s all from me today. Don’t forget to subscribe to my email list so you never miss a beat from Tyler Woden.

~TW~