The economic crash of 2008/9 had far-reaching consequences for almost every aspect of life.

Aside from banks collapsing and businesses going under, there was a tremendous human toll too in the form of unemployment and the reduction of essential services.

This was in part due to the government’s cost measures to reign in public spending and protect the economy from collapse.

There are conflicting views as to the success of those measures, both in terms of whether it protected the economy or reduced spending. However, the cut to essential services, like mental health support has had a very clear impact.

The lack of mental health support has resulted in a sharp increase in individuals with mental health issues reaching crisis point. A crisis can take on many forms but can include self-harm, attempting to harm others, attempted suicide, psychotic episodes or mental breakdown.

Some of these require hospitalisation for either whether that’s for a short period or an extended stay.

In some parts of the country, the lack of mental health provision has prompted individuals with severe challenges to commit crimes. This is so when they are arrested the police conduct a mental health assessment, often jumping the queue to get support or treatment.

While spending in this area has increased in recent years, the further impact of the COVID-19 pandemic could mean a third of the adult population could have some form of mental health issue.

The result of this is mental health professionals are in high demand. From mental health nurses to trained counsellors, there has never been a time when these professionals have been in greater need.

To learn more about the course available to start your career in mental health, click here.

One in four adults develop mental health issues every year. Although that figure is rising and is expected to reach one in three adults within the next decade.

This rise is partly circumstantial but is also due to the greater awareness around mental health issues and the growing public dialogue.

Essentially, more people are recognising something isn’t right and want to do something about it. This positive step however only makes a difference if there is the support available.

Due to this raised awareness and identified need, there is an increasing demand for mental health professionals.

As mental health issues is a diverse term, so too are the approaches in treatment, which means you can specialise in an area that suits you.

Some may want to focus on psychotherapy, treating deep-seated mental disorders. Others may want to study talking therapies – such as CBT – to address issues of wellbeing and self-worth.

Although different approaches, they work in concert to improve the overall mental health of the individual.

Indeed, it is common for an individual with mental health issues to start with one form of therapy and transition through to others, as they learn more about themselves and their challenges.

Whatever route into mental health is best for you, several nationally recognised qualifications can get you there.

Check out the Faculty of Mental Health page for available online courses. Because your course material is waiting for you once you’ve enrolled, you can start your learning right away.

That means you can pace your learning to suit your existing commitments and ideally when you’d like to make the leap to your new career.