Enhancing support networks for our Mental Health Services staff
In a time when mental health is getting the spotlight it deserves, let's not forget the often-unsung heroes - the mental health workers themselves. Their wellbeing is just as crucial to the conversation.
Mental health work is inherently challenging and demanding with workers providing critical support and care to those in need. Yet, despite the profound impact it has on individuals and communities, many mental health professionals aren’t getting the support they need.
Due to the nature of the work, it can be difficult for organisations to sustain a motivated and committed team. These factors contribute to a high turnover rate and a constant struggle to recruit and maintain qualified individuals who can navigate the complexities of mental health care effectively.
The Queensland Alliance for Mental Health recently identified workforce attraction and retention as one of the major challenges for community mental health organisations.
WMQ's Practice Supervision Initiative
To show our commitment to supporting employees, Wesley Mission Queensland (WMQ) has been piloting in-house Practice Supervision. By integrating reflective practices into the workplace, we can offer our mental health teams a dedicated space to discuss their work, reflect and learn from their experiences, and work towards their professional development goals.
Regular supervision provides a platform for professionals to share their struggles, receive constructive feedback, and connect with colleagues who understand the unique demands of the field. The benefits extend beyond the individual, enhancing the overall quality of care.
Canice Curtis, WMQ’s Mental Health Services Senior Practice Lead, is a passionate supporter and leader of this initiative:
I have been fortunate to both receive and provide in Practice Supervision and Reflective Practice. The mutual exchange of knowledge, skills and critical reflection has meant I can show up in a manner that supports service user growth, empowerment and liberation.
‘Having Practice Supervision/Reflective Practice in-house allows me to spend more time with family rather than finding an external supervisor and the time and money that involves’ he continued.
Improved staff retention and professional development
By offering Practice Supervision in-house, WMQ has seen a significant increase in retention of staff. By providing easy access to experienced, discipline-matched supervisors, we create a pathway for staff to pursue further accreditation, registration, and qualifications while at work.
This strategy not only enhances the skills of our team but also fosters a more stable and proficient workforce. Graham Barlow, a WMQ Senior Mental Health Clinician, states:
As a practicing mental health clinician, Reflective Practice keeps me encouraged and curious, and wanting to do better for the young people that engage at our centre. It’s also very rewarding to witness my supervisees' growth and the confidence that comes from engaging in Reflective Practice together.
Supporting mental health workers for a stronger workforce
WMQ now implements Practice Supervision across all its Mental Health Services as a key component of delivering the best possible employee experience. This initiative reflects our dedication to enhancing professional development and fostering a positive and effective work environment for all, including workplace culture that prioritises connection and mutual support.
WMQ Mental Health Clinician AJ Johnson is proud to both be a Reflective Practice practitioner, as well as someone who holds that space for others:
It is a safe space to unpack the inevitable ways that sitting with the pain of others touches us in our own humanness and ensure that we are both taking care of ourselves and held in our personal and professional communities so that we can continue to do this work.
Supporting mental health workers requires a multifaceted approach that prioritises connection, support, and wellbeing. By implementing practices such as in-house supervision, continuous professional development, peer support, and more, organisations can create a more resilient and effective workforce, as well as improve retention rates.
As we strive to improve mental health services, let us not forget that the wellbeing of those who dedicate their lives to this crucial work is a foundational element of our success.