advice on degrees please?

[Isabella5991]

Hello!

I’m just wondering if I could have some advice on degrees please.

So I had postpartum psychosis three years ago and I’d love to study to work with perinatal mums suffering with their mental health.

I’m just trying to figure out what degree to do.

I have suspected PDA autism so it has to be from home and I’d love to have a care farm where mums and their families can come and spend time in nature with animals and my self with some kind of expertise to support them.

I originally wanted to do mental health nursing, but it’s full time even with open uni and I can’t really do that currently. Do you think social work or counselling would be any good to work with perinatal mums? Be great to hear your opinions. Espec from those of you who were in MBUs and can remember which kind of professionals helped you. I remember having social workers therapists psychiatrist nurses etc coming to my home, but not sure who could support mums from their home environment.. xx

Thanks so much xx

[Rachel_at_APP Partner APP]

Hello Isabella5991, I don’t have specific insight into which training or university courses I’m afraid. It would entirely depend on the role you’re looking at. Have a look on different recruiting websites at roles, as often it’s clear what course or qualifications are needed for the role. I would have suggested the Open Uni, and perhaps speaking with recent graduates about their career prospects / pathway.

Peer support is a field that of course needs certain skills sets (a key attribute being of course personal experience) to share and support others, but not necessarily formal education e.g. university. Expert by experience as it were. Peer support can be both a voluntary and paid position, depending on the organisation.

Mind (the charity) often recruit peer supporters either as volunteers or indeed as paid positions. Action on Postpartum Psychosis do also. So it is worth visiting our website here. app-network.org/get-involve...

Hope this might be helpful, with best wishes Rachel x

[Laneybug1710]

What a lovely idea! How about occupational therapy? Counselling is a good idea also

[Isabella5991 in reply to Laneybug1710]

thank you everyone!! I have decided to begin a level 2 counselling course and slowly work my way up to being qualified, if I feel like going all the way. Im also applying for part time peer support roles and LSA roles for children with autism, so let’s see if something comes up!! I start my course next week and it’s all online so perfect really. The teacher seems really great xx

[Cheryl-2021 Volunteer]

Hello Isabella5991

I don't have a degree or any medical background, but I found my way into working in mental health via admin. I started off as the administrator for the Perinatal Psychiatry Team in Nottingham. Then went onto working as a HCA on the MBU, where I found a new love for peer support. I now working in mental health rehabilitation as an Activities Coordinator, which I absolutely love! It has been a very rewarding road to travel on and no qualifications needed. Hope this helps with thinking of other ways to work in mental health if you don't feel up to studying just yet 😊💜

[Isabella5991 in reply to Cheryl-2021]

What’s a HCA please? Sounds amazing for you! Xx

[Cheryl-2021 Volunteer in reply to Isabella5991]

Health Care Assistant 😊 xx

[Isabella5991 in reply to Cheryl-2021]

thank you everyone!! I have decided to begin a level 2 counselling course and slowly work my way up to being qualified, if I feel like going all the way. Im also applying for part time peer support roles and LSA roles for children with autism, so let’s see if something comes up!! I start my course next week and it’s all online so perfect really. The teacher seems really great xx

[Cheryl-2021 Volunteer in reply to Isabella5991]

This sounds amazing 👏 💜

[alisonrw Volunteer]

Hi Isabella5991

That’s great that you’re interested in working in perinatal mental health. You have so much to offer with your own knowledge and experience of recovery.

I experienced long term mental health struggles and have now found my way into working in mental health. I started by volunteering for APP and my local maternity voices partnership, who were looking for feedback on maternity services in my area. I could do both from home. I did a couple of free short courses via distance learning that I found on the internet that were advertised on my local college website at the time. They were more general but I think the learning I got can be applied to perinatal mental health.

I am now working in the NHS as a peer support worker and trainer. I didn’t need a mental health related degree for these positions, my volunteering and general education were enough, although I have completed further training since I have been in post funded by the NHS. Mind is a good call too when looking for positions, as Rachel mentions above, as are other charities such as Rethink Mental Illness that also advertise paid and volunteer positions.

All the best of luck with this 🙂

[Isabella5991 in reply to alisonrw]

How amazing! Well done you. Thank you xx

[Isabella5991 in reply to alisonrw]

thank you everyone!! I have decided to begin a level 2 counselling course and slowly work my way up to being qualified, if I feel like going all the way. Im also applying for part time peer support roles and LSA roles for children with autism, so let’s see if something comes up!! I start my course next week and it’s all online so perfect really. The teacher seems really great xx

[alisonrw Volunteer in reply to Isabella5991]

This sounds so interesting Isabella5991. All the best of luck with starting your course and for your job applications. You’ll do great 😊

[Hazello Volunteer]

So exciting that you're keen to work in perinatal mental health. Sounds like there are loads of options. I'm thinking along similar lines.

Social work is my area and I would say if you're very specific about what you want to do a qualification like social work might be frustrating as you might be unable to get placements in the area you want, depending upon what's around near you and what your course offers. It's also very full on and I don't know how well it works part time. I did it full time before kids....

I'm thinking about counselling or paid peer supporting in the long run once kids on school.

Hope you work out what is right for you! I had PP and now diagnosed with ADHD so I can totally relate to needing to find the right thing for your brain

Hazello x

[Isabella5991 in reply to Hazello]

thank you everyone!! I have decided to begin a level 2 counselling course and slowly work my way up to being qualified, if I feel like going all the way. Im also applying for part time peer support roles and LSA roles for children with autism, so let’s see if something comes up!! I start my course next week and it’s all online so perfect really. The teacher seems really great xx

Social work from what I’ve heard sounds like A LOT.. amazing, but hard. Sounds like we’re going down the exact same route! Xx

[Hazello Volunteer in reply to Isabella5991]

Oh wow that's brilliant! Well I'm not planning to start anything until next August or maybe even the one following but keen to keep up with how it's going and keen to hear what the course is like and if you'd recommend! X

[Isabella5991 in reply to Hazello]

Yeah I’m happy to let you know

Basically from lots of research for the right course I’ve discovered a CPCAB accredited one is what most people go for and potentially one of the best and by level 4, you want a CPCAB accredited still but with BACP approval. Where you’re likely to get a wider variety of jobs available and join the membership. The CPCAB website has a test centre finder where you can find which one is close to you or online and the prices. I went with the London school of counselling CPCAB course level 2, they’re price was £695 which is cheaper than other online ones which were over a thousand, but about double what you’d pay for an in person class xx

[Hazello Volunteer in reply to Isabella5991]

Great thank you! I'm in Scotland so not sure if any differences. I need to start researching. I had an epiphany in the night whilst experiencing insomnia a few weeks ago that walking therapy/ outdoor therapy might be the way to go for me. With my ADHD traits I need loads of exercise so this seemed like such an incredible idea. Still just an idea at the minute but will look into the things you've suggested! I've got quite a few friends who have trained as counsellors so been asking around as well. Hope that you really enjoy it. X

[The_Wes_Anderson_Fan Volunteer]

Hi Isabella

I've has a similar experience to Koala.

I started volunteering with the Activity CoOrdinator on an Acute Ward. I really enjoyed it. The Volunteering role involved a lot of training in my own time, as you need the same training as the staff.

It has led to paid bank staff work as an Activity worker. Sadly most bank staff are Health Care Assistants at Band 3 which is around the minimum wage. Counselling may be the way to go if you want to earn a living.

Good Luck!