If you've never worked in mental health before, it can be difficult to picture what a typical shift involves. Some people imagine it's all paperwork; others assume it's non-stop working with patients in crisis. The reality is somewhere in between.
Mental Health Support Workers spend much of their time supporting patients with the everyday things that can help with their recovery. Every patient is different, every ward is different, and no two shifts are the same, but there are some common themes you'll find across most services.
Starting your day
The shift will usually begin with a team briefing.
Your team will come together to discuss each patient and anything that needs particular attention during the shift. You might hear about someone who didn't sleep well overnight, a patient who's due to attend an appointment or someone who's preparing to go home later that day.
The team from the previous shift will also hand over any significant observations, changes or concerns that might need monitoring.
Once the handover is complete, everyone has a better picture of what's happening on the ward and what needs to happen during the day.
Supporting patients with their daily routine
One of the biggest parts of the role is helping patients maintain a normal daily routine.
Depending on the ward, this could include supporting people to get ready for the day, encouraging them to have breakfast, helping them attend activities or simply checking in to see how they're feeling.
Activities will vary depending on the service, from games, exercise and music to art, cooking, gardening or group sessions. Getting involved alongside patients can help them take part and enjoy the activity, while also creating a more relaxed opportunity to talk, build trust and get to know each other.
Not every patient will want support, and that's okay. Mental health care is about working with people at their own pace, while encouraging independence wherever possible. Building trust takes time, and often some of the best conversations happen naturally while you're doing something together.
Every conversation matters
People are often surprised by how much of the role involves simply talking with patients.
Sometimes that means listening while someone explains how they're feeling. Other times it might involve encouraging someone who's having a difficult day to join an activity or helping them think through a problem.
You don't need to have all the answers. Mental Health Support Workers aren't expected to be counsellors or psychologists. Your role is to build positive relationships, notice when something doesn't seem right and share any concerns with the wider clinical team.
Those everyday conversations can also help you spot changes in someone's mood or behaviour and provide useful information about how they're progressing.
No two wards are the same
Mental health services cover a wide range of specialties, so the experience of working as a Support Worker will vary depending on where you're based.
An acute ward supporting adults experiencing a mental health crisis, for example, will feel different to a rehabilitation ward, where patients may be preparing to return home after a longer admission.
There are also more specialist inpatient settings, including Psychiatric Intensive Care Units (PICUs), secure forensic services and inpatient services for children and young people through Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS). Each supports a different group of patients and comes with its own routines, environment and ways of working.
Although each service is different, the overall focus is the same: supporting patients with their care and recovery in the environment that's right for them.
Working as part of the wider team
Mental Health Support Workers don't work alone. Throughout the day you'll work alongside registered mental health nurses, doctors, psychologists, occupational therapists, social workers and other healthcare professionals.
Everyone brings a different area of expertise, and Support Workers have an important perspective because of the amount of time they spend directly with patients.
Something as simple as noticing that a normally chatty patient has become withdrawn, that someone seems more anxious than usual or that their behaviour has changed can be valuable information for the wider team. You'll share these observations with colleagues and record relevant information as part of the patient's care.
Ending the shift
Before finishing work, your team will hand over to the colleagues taking over the next shift.
You'll update patient records, share any important information and make sure the incoming team knows about anything that happened during your shift or needs following up.
Mental health inpatient services operate around the clock, so a good handover is important. It means the next team starts their shift with the information they need and patients continue to receive consistent care.
More than people often expect
People sometimes apply for Mental Health Support Worker roles expecting the work to be very different from other areas of healthcare.
While every service has its own challenges, much of the role is about building relationships, encouraging independence and supporting people through periods when they may need additional help.
Some shifts will be busy, while others may be quieter. Some days you'll spend more time supporting activities, while on others you'll be talking with patients, helping with everyday routines or responding to something unexpected on the ward.
If you enjoy working with people, communicating as part of a team and are looking for a role with plenty of variety, working as an inpatient Mental Health Support Worker could be an area worth exploring.
Interested in how community and inpatient roles compare? Read: Inpatient vs Community: which HCSW role is for you?
Want to learn more about the training involved? Read: The Care Certificate explained: What is it and why does it matter?
Interested in supporting patients in the community? Read: What's a typical day as a Community Healthcare Support Worker in Physical Health?