The Mental Health Coach

Where do you live: City Centre

Profession: I am a mental health coach, workshop facilitator and actor

Please explain what you do in your job?
My coaching practice involves working with individuals who have been diagnosed with various forms of mental disorders such as bi-polar, schizophrenia, depression, anxiety and eating disorders. I have also developed a number of different recovery workshops that I deliver to health care workers, family and friends of those diagnosed with a mental illness and to those who are coping with such a diagnosis. Some of the workshops have a creative arts focus.

Current job:
Owner of Who's Crazy Now? Mental Health Services where I provide a mental health coaching, consulting and public speaking services.

List of accomplishments:
Writing and performing 'Now Who's Crazy Now?', a one-woman show about my personal experience of living with and recovering from mental illness. Co-ordinating and developing supported volunteer program for people with mental illness. Co-ordinating training programs for people with mental illness to become peer support workers, founder of two theatre programs for people with mental illness: Puzzle Factory Theatre and Now Who's Talking Recovery Theatre Writer and producer of my own guided breathing CD 'Calm Down: Breathing your way to relaxation and happiness'.

How do you measure success in your chosen career?
I know I am successful when people feel safe and trustful working with me. Once safety and trust is established I am able to support and guide them on their journey of achieving goals and increasing the quality of their lives. Workshop feedback forms where participants say they were inspired; feel more hopeful and confident or that they now understand more about the issues of mental illness are another indication of success. In my storytelling workshop it is the people's recovery stories that reflect our mutual achievements. Overall in my work and especially my play I know that I am helping break down the stigma of mental illness.

When did you decide this is what you want to do for a living and what was the 'moment'?
I was in between careers and volunteering on a 24-hour crisis line when I had a light bulb moment. Most of the callers were people who had been diagnosed with a mental illness. They needed someone to listen, someone who was non-judgmental and empathetic. There was always a tremendous sense of relief on the caller's part when given the opportunity to freely talk and know they were being heard. There was and still is a critical need for mental health workers. That need and the fulfillment I received knowing that I was helping people on the crisis line spoke to me. That's when I made the decision on a career in mental health, one that I am endlessly passionate about.

What did you have to do in order to get involved with this profession?
I already had an interest in the helping professions, a background education in child and youth care and personal mental health experience. However, I needed to start somewhere and the crisis line counselor training and experience were top notch. Utilizing my theatre background, I volunteered with a mental health organization that used theatre as a tool for public education. Volunteering for various mental health programs was an important source of information which led me to eventually attain my first job as a mental health support worker.

Pros and cons of this job?
The best thing about my work is that it offers me daily rewards. Rewards in my profession come in many forms starting with the simple act of just 'being there' for someone in need. Coaching clients are always appreciative of the support they receive along the way to achieving their goals. Goals vary according to the individual. For example, someone with debilitating depression who is able to get out of bed, leave the house and meet with me for an hour has accomplished a great deal. Someone else whom I have helped develop coping strategies that have allowed them to succeed with work, friends and family is also rewarding. There are a zillion and one rewards that fall in between these examples depending on the individuals. In my workshops it's always rewarding when participants are having fun while learning about recovery and other mental health related subjects.

One of the most challenging aspects of my work is dealing with the highly complex and deeply painful circumstances of some clients. In order to do my best and properly manage the challenges of my work it is critical that I maintain balance between my personal and working life.

Skills required for this job?
Most importantly you must truly enjoy working with people; have a desire to help improve quality of life along with patience and good communication skills. Beyond that, personal mental health experience or with family, friends or co-workers can be beneficial. It always helps to have a sense of humour. Laughter IS the best medicine.

Other than that, any specific talents and abilities can be of great benefit in the field such as writing, theatre, music, painting, computer skills, yoga, tai chi, sports and any other personal gifts that can be shared with clients.

What can people expect if they want to pursue this job?
If you truly enjoy working with people you will experience a lot of job satisfaction. You will have ups and downs, good days and bad days and clients that may be challenging or simply not a good match for working with you.

Salary range:
Entry level positions start at around $11/hr. After that, depending on your chosen field of mental health expertise and experience you can look at earning a salary of anywhere from $20,000 to $60,000 per year.

Advice to people who are thinking about pursuing this field:
Get a sense of the scope of the field through volunteering for a number of mental health organizations including your local crisis line. When you're volunteering in the field, be cognizant of the various types of education required for service providers and pursue one that resonates with you.

Anything else you would like to say?
Unfortunately, mental illness is a growth industry. The need for mental health workers is on the rise. I strongly encourage anyone with an interest in helping people to check it out. There is unlimited opportunity for personal and professional growth. The sky's the limit.