Alison McRoberts, now a Service Development lead at Orygen, has worked in mental health for over 25 years.

“I was working in adult mental health and wanted to get into a role where I felt I could make difference earlier,” McRoberts says, who started out in occupational therapy.

Although her current role is to review and improve the quality of Orygen’s youth mental health services, the pandemic and resulting industry shortages have changed the day-to-day, at least temporarily.

“[Currently] my day is often focused around ensuring our clinical programs have adequate staff onsite to deliver a safe service,” McRoberts says.

Mental health services are often delivered by multi-disciplinary teams; an approach that sits well with art therapist Su Hanfling.

Hanfling works across a wide range of youth-focused services delivered by her employer, CatholicCare Canberra and Goulburn.

“All forms of creative arts therapies are becoming more recognised as research continues into the social and neurological impacts on mental health and the paths to recovery,” she says, noting that in Victoria registered arts therapists can be employed in schools under recent government funding for youth mental health.

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“I have the opportunity to collaborate with other mental health professionals such as psychologists, counsellors, occupational therapists and social workers in a multi-disciplinary team. This has great benefits for the young people I work with,” she says.

Hanfling notes that it’s important those working in the field celebrate diversity in all its forms.

“[You need to] be respectful, appreciate personal space and able to listen deeply, even when the conversation might not use spoken words,” she says.

While the supports delivered by youth mental health workers are varied, the qualities which make a great employee appear consistent regardless of the role.

“Passion and determination [are useful traits, as is] a willingness to work alongside young people and their families,” McRoberts says.