The mental health workforce in NSW is a group of highly trained health practitioners working in a wide range of health professions including psychiatrists, psychologists, nurses, assistants in nursing, social workers, Aboriginal mental health workers, occupational therapists, dieticians, art therapists, youth workers, peer workers, advocates and more.
Maintaining and improving the quality of patient care within a health system is called clinical governance. The Mental Health Branch has a number of clinical governance programs and monitors clinical risk management, while also liaising with the Official Visitors Program.
A career specialising in mental health services is both rewarding and challenging. Mental health workers make a difference to other people’s lives every day. Their skills include personal qualities such as compassion and patience, as well as the technical skills that their profession demands.
Information about some possible training pathways is available from: