Careers in Mental Health | Master of Mental Health

Mental health care professionals are in critical demand

Throughout Australia, an estimated 3.1% of the population lives with severe mental illness, while services are only available to an average of 1.8% of the population.¹ Those who live in rural and remote areas are especially underserved in getting their mental health needs met.²

At La Trobe, our course structure goes above standard industry knowledge. It includes a focus on how to help rural and Indigenous populations and has a focus on leadership and project management skills. You graduate well prepared to offer an exemplary level of care and leadership in a variety of careers in mental health, ready to make an immediate impact with a vulnerable population.

With this degree, you could become a health and wellness service manager – a role with an estimated growth rate of 18.6%, more than double the national average.^3,4

Graduate ready to specialise in mental health careers at major private and public hospitals, research centres and health clinics.

Mental health case manager

$66,150/year

As a mental health case manager, you’ll assess clients’ needs then develop and implement care plans for them. You’ll ensure services are delivered according to medical standards and check in with clients and/or their families regularly to reassess progress and needs. According to Payscale, mental health case managers earn an average salary of $66,150 a year.⁵

Mental health program manager

$81,793/year

Mental health program managers create programs in their organisation and develop strict guidelines for mental health prevention, treatment and screening procedures. They oversee staff and are responsible for following up treatment plans as needed by their patients or service. According to Payscale, mental health program managers earn an average salary of $81,793.⁶

More mental health career pathways:

Clinician
Case manager/worker
Team leader
Service manager
Triage manager
Psychiatric consultant or liaison

Course outcomes: Make an immediate impact on vulnerable populations

By graduation, you can:

Make independent clinical judgements applying specialist skills
Assess clients and develop reasonable clinical plans
Utilise critical skills in problem-solving, planning and evaluation
Communicate effectively and sensitively with colleagues, people accessing mental health services and the public
Perform independently or as a team leader within mental health settings
Recognise ongoing learning needs and use effective learning strategies for professional practice
Undertake effective reflective practice, both independently and as a member or leader of teams in multidisciplinary work environments

Career support from La Trobe

As you get ready to advance your career, La Trobe’s career services team and alumni community are here to support you. You’ll graduate ready to put your best foot forward to secure the role you want.

Resume

Get resume support through our CareerHub to write effective, targeted resumes. You have access to 24/7 automated feedback online and you can request personalised feedback from a career adviser. Learn more.

Interview Preparation

Use our free online tool – Big Interview – to get ready to nail your interview. Know what to expect and practise general, behavioural and technical questions for over 140 industries and sets. Use the Answer Builder tool so you can find the right stories to tell in answers to questions. Finally, get hands-on experience with practice interviews as you’re coached by an expert.

Alumni Community

As a graduate of La Trobe University, you’ll have access to our team of career advisers. To arrange an appointment, please complete the Alumni Career Consultation request form.

Sources

Rees, Margaret. “Australian mental health report highlights a systemic crisis.” International Committee of the Fourth International (ICFI), World Socialist Web Site, 2019 December 28, https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2019/12/28/ment-d28.html. Accessed 14 October 2020.
“Accessibility and Quality of Mental Health Services in Rural and Remote Australia, Report, Chapter 5.” Parliament of Australia, https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate/Community_Affairs/MentalHealthServices/Report/c05. Accessed 14 October 2020.
“Occupation projections – five years to May 2024.” 2019 Employment Projections – for the five years to May 2024, Australian Government Labour Market Portal, https://lmip.gov.au/default.aspx?LMIP%2FGainInsights%2FEmploymentProjections. Accessed 14 October 2020.
“2019 Industry Employment Projections Report.” 2019 Employment Projections – for the five years to May 2024, Australian Government Labour Market Portal, https://lmip.gov.au/default.aspx?LMIP%2FGainInsights%2FEmploymentProjections. Accessed 14 October 2020.
“Average Mental Health Case Manager Hourly Pay in Australia.” Payscale. https://www.payscale.com/research/AU/Job=Mental_Health_Case_Manager/Hourly_Rate. Accessed 14 October 2020.
“Average Mental Health Program Manager Salary in Australia.” Payscale. https://www.payscale.com/research/AU/Job=Mental_Health_Program_Manager/Salary. Accessed 14 October 2020.