Anyone considering a career in social work should be motivated to ‘do it for the work with people’

Meredith Ahearn, Mental Health Officer (MHO) at the Royal Edinburgh Hospital, was recently awarded this year's Mental Health Officer Practice Award at the Scottish Association of Social Workers conference.

Here as we today mark the last day of World Social Work Month 2022, Meredith shares more around the work of a Mental Health Officer and the satisfaction of getting to know and supporting people as part of her day-to-day work.?

“I think we all come to the career because the time we spend with vulnerable people does not feel like work.”

“As Mental Health Officers (MHO’s) we are working towards reducing life limiting risks in the community or a mental health setting while supporting vulnerable adults and children. We focus on individuals who are most at risk and work alongside psychiatric clinicians towards joint assessment and care plans.”

“Our main role is to implement a non-medical approach towards helping people who experience a mental health crisis; ensuring a person is seen in the context of their whole life experience, not just when they may be unwell. For me personally, I wanted to be part of a system that safeguarded the rights of vulnerable people and supported those who care for them’’.

“Building relationships with people and other professionals is the most essential aspect of our role as MHO’s. Through good relationships we can promote non-discriminatory practice, challenge stigma and fight for health equality. We strive to encourage each person to feel they can get the support they need while ensuring their voice is heard. Honesty, good communication and reciprocity are key to our work supporting the individuals’ human rights.”

“When it comes to ending work with an individual once they no longer need our involvement, it can be very difficult given the relationship and trust that has often been built. However, when you shake someone’s hand and say, ‘it was great to work with you, keep on being the person you are and we’re here to help when you need us’, it makes it all worth it.’’

“Anyone considering a career in social work should be motivated to ‘do it for the work with people’. Whether it be individual service users, multi-disciplinary professionals or your team colleagues, the people are a constant source of motivation, support and encouragement. That, and we’re pretty big on cake in the office….’’.

MHOs have a unique role in supporting and protecting people who are challenged because of mental ill health and their duties can include safeguarding of rights and freedoms of individuals, as well as supporting people who are at risk to protect their health, safety, welfare, finances and property.?

Edinburgh has 45 MHO’s working right across the city and a team of Out of Hours MHOs who deliver a 24/7 365-day service.

Currently the government is supporting plans to increase the number of MHO’s in Scotland and the sector is actively recruiting. ?MHO’s receive support, supervision and professional development opportunities via a mentoring arrangement, locality and citywide forums and regular CPD events, as well as access to training from our colleagues with Lived Experience of using mental health services, third sector, academic and other partners.??