Hey, I'm applying to OT programs and have always been interested in mental health (I have a bachelors in psychology). I've also heard that mental health jobs are very rare in OT and I saw that you work in that field. Do you have any advice for finding a job in the mental health field?
hi! i think it depends heavily on where you live. I’m Canadian and I think OTs are pretty established here both in community mental health and hospital based mental health.
i would say that if you are certain you want to work in mental health, start volunteering now if you can (e.g. I volunteered at a women’s drop in centre, serving meals. it gave me a great resume /skills/experience when applying for community mental health work in homelessness), or look for jobs like residential support worker at a mental health support home (e.g. jobs where OTs COULD work, but often dont due to funding - will give you a great sense of what the field is like) and finally, my job prospects panned out pretty well for me, but when I was applying i was applying to OT jobs AND mental health jobs, not just OT in mental health jobs. A foot in the door is a foot in the door. :)
Let me know if you have follow up questions :)