Skills and Characteristics of Mental Health Human Services Workers

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Skills and Characteristics of Mental Health Human Services Workers Patrick Pearson/ BSHS 471/Mental Health and Crisis Intervention Practices August 12, 2013 Joan Rachmel, MRC, CRC University of Phoenix Skills and Characteristics of Mental Health Human Services Workers As the author has communicated and firmly established during the first two weeks of this course, human services workers are among some of the hardest working people in show business. No wait that is James Brown. Actually it is true, human services workers are among some of the hardest working professionals in America and abroad and it is frightening to imagine this country and the world without the services they provide. Their clients include abused women and children, the drug and alcohol-addicted and many with learning and mental health disabilities, just to name a few. It seems their work is never done as the author can attest to first hand, as he lives with one of these phenomenal people who spend their workdays taking care of people and making sure everyone is fine. In this essay, the author will explore some of the personal characteristics and skills that he considers to be essential for a successful career in the human services field as well as those characteristics that may not be conducive to a successful run in this particular area. Additionally, he will answer the question of whether there are specific skills which individuals need to have or develop before employment in the human services field and if so, which ones. He will also chronicle where and how these skills can be developed to help in the formation of a successful human services worker and if there is such a thing as a natural born helper. Finally, the author will describe someone in his life he believes would be an exemplary human services worker and the characteristics and skills she possesses.
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