Health Mental Health Cert IV: What You Need To Know VictorSeptember 29, 202201.7K views Today’s workforce is experiencing more pressure than ever before. Whereas once, employees could take a few weeks off to relax and recuperate, they now have to balance work, family responsibilities and social obligations. To ensure that they can handle the additional stressors modern life brings, many employers have turned to alternative stress-reduction programs in lieu of traditional vacation time or paid time off (PTO). These programs are specifically designed to address the emotional and mental strains that employees may be feeling at any given moment. Mental health certifications are designed for professionals who need to demonstrate their knowledge on certain topics in order to prove their competency and suitability for a specific role or profession. This article will briefly discuss what a mental health cert is, why you should get one and how it can help you in your career. Table of Contents Toggle What is a Mental Health Certification?When Should You Get a Mental Health Certification?How to Get a Mental Health Certification?Things to remember before you apply for a mental health certificationPros of Getting a Mental Health CertificateCons of Getting a Mental Health CertificationFinal Words What is a Mental Health Certification? Mental health certification is a document that provides evidence of your knowledge, skills and/or abilities in a specific area of study. These certifications are often used as proof of competency or suitability for a specific job position or profession. For example, if you’re applying for a professional job, the employer may ask for your mental health cert. If you’re an applicant for nurse positions, you may be asked to provide your mental health certification before being interviewed. A mental health cert can help you prove your qualifications and experience to employers and help you avoid expensive mistakes in hiring decisions. If you have one on hand, it also makes it easier to network with professionals in your field of work. When Should You Get a Mental Health Certification? If you feel that the increased pressures of your job are impacting your mental health and wellbeing, you should consider getting a mental health certification. This can help to alleviate some of the stresses in your life and helps to show that you are aware of your mental health in a professional setting. It is important to note that this does not mean you will be able to get away with poor work performance or being less committed to your role—it simply demonstrates that you’re aware of what may affect your state of mind and how it may manifest at work. More importantly, certification is one way for employers to identify people who have knowledge about their mental health and an understanding of how it affects the workplace. It also demonstrates that the individual is committed to understanding their own mental health as well as those around them. This has a positive effect on team morale, which can lead to better work performance (and happier employees). How to Get a Mental Health Certification? There are two common ways to get a Cert IV in Mental Health. The first way is to take a course in person. There are many universities and colleges that offer certifications on mental health topics, so you can usually find one that meets your needs. This is the most common route for those who are looking to establish a career in mental health. The second way to get a certification is online. There are plenty of online courses available which can allow individuals to learn at their own pace and schedule. If you’d like the flexibility of learning from home, this route will serve you well. Things to remember before you apply for a mental health certification One of the most important things to remember when applying for a mental health certification is that you have to do your research. There are hundreds of different mental health certifications, so it can be difficult to figure out which one would be best for you. It’s important that you choose an alternative stress-reduction program that has the right fit for you and your career goals. If you are considering getting a mental health certification, it’s important that you know what skills or experiences will help to qualify you for a particular role. For instance, if you are looking into becoming a counsellor, it would be helpful if your certification included information about cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). Pros of Getting a Mental Health Certificate Mental health certifications are designed for professionals who need to demonstrate their knowledge on certain topics in order to prove their competency and suitability for a specific role or profession. These certifications offer a number of benefits that can help your career grow and progress. Certifications help you: ● Stand out from the competition ● Adapt to change more quickly ● Increase your chances of being hired by employers ● Keep up with industry trends and practices Cons of Getting a Mental Health Certification Unlike the benefits of getting a mental health certification, the cons are fairly straightforward. The biggest downside is that you’re required to take extra time away from work. In addition, having one isn’t necessarily a guarantee that you’ll get hired more often or get promoted. When it comes down to it, while a mental health certification can help you in your career, it’s up to you and your employer to decide if they want to hire someone with a certificate or someone without one. The pros of getting a mental health certification are significant. For example, by having one, you could be seen as an expert in your field and will have increased credibility when discussing topics related to mental health in your workplace. Another pro of getting certified is that it shows the company that not only do you know what you’re talking about but also that you take this topic seriously and have invested time into learning about it. If you’re on the fence about whether or not to get certified for mental health reasons, consider these pros before making a decision for yourself. Final Words A mental health certification can actually help you in your career. In order to ensure that workers are healthy, employers will often look for evidence of a worker’s formal training. This typically includes a mental health certificate and/or other related qualifications. If you are interested in becoming certified in mental health, many states have licensing boards that offer courses on the subject. Alternatively, you may choose to take an online course or work through an online program like the one offered by AICPA. It is also important to note that some certifications will be recognised by more than one profession or industry. For example, if you want to become a counsellor in the medical field, it would be beneficial for you to complete a social work certification as well as a cert specific to the medical field (e.g., a psychiatric nurse practitioner). Certifications can be viewed as proof of your competency and suitability for certain professions and roles within an organisation.