WHEN asked why she became a mental health support worker, Mia Polglase answers instantly.
“I was put on this earth to help people,” she said with a laugh.
“That’s pretty much it.”
Ms Polglase has worked at Centacare’s Mental Health service based at Fortitude Valley for almost three years, supporting clients with a variety of complex conditions.
“I had dealt with my own anxiety years ago, so mental health has become a real passion of mine,” she said.
The recently renovated hub in Fortitude Valley offered a range of holistic and pastoral services to community members living with mental illnesses.
Support workers assisted clients with personal shopping, household tasks, and transport to and from medical appointments.
Ms Polglase said one of the most rewarding elements of her role was connecting with clients.
“I love knowing I have supported my clients through self-care activities or sometimes just going for a coffee and chat,” she said.
“I get immense satisfaction from making a difference in someone’s life.”
She recalled experiencing a special moment with one of her clients.
“One of my clients who has Huntington’s disease would only ever visit the bank or the shops,” she said.
“Recently I’ve introduced her to hydrotherapy and actually took her to the beach.
“It was wonderful to broaden her horizons.”
Burnout in health professionals has dominated news headlines and national discourse since the pandemic.
Centacare service delivery manager Yohann Paterson said debriefing and counselling was a vital part of supporting employees.
“Very often mental health support workers work with people who are experiencing a crisis,” he said.
“Managing those crises can be difficult and switching off when you return home can be even harder.
“It’s essential to debrief with workers and offer support to prevent the dangers of something like vicarious trauma.”
Fellow service delivery manager Shaye Dietrich recommended establishing clear professional and personal boundaries.
“As a support worker you want to be there to help your client and be compassionate,” she said.
“But you need to realise what you can and cannot control.
“Someone’s experience is their own.”
Ms Polglase emphasised the importance of self-care in safeguarding her own mental health.
“It’s important to not take work home with you,” she said.
“On the daily I practice a lot of mindfulness and gratitude through painting in my garden and feeding magpies who visit me.
“I take a lot of joy from just sitting in my happy place.”
Centacare offered comprehensive training for anyone wishing to begin their career as a mental health support worker.
“I would really encourage people who have cared for a loved one experiencing mental health complexities to consider support work,” Mr Paterson said.
“So many of our employees are teachers, university students, paramedics, teachers, nurses.
“But we also have people from accounting, landscape, or architecture backgrounds.
“Support work attracts all people from all walks of life.”
Ms Polglase agreed and said anyone with a passion for mental health should consider support work.
“The main requirement is empathy,” she said.
If you are interested in a role as a support worker, walking alongside people with a mental illness, you can find out more at https://centacare.com/get-involved/careers/ . Centacare offers opportunities for people with and without experience and qualifications as well as the opportunity to work while you study.
