Best Jobs for Mental Health (7+ Jobs)

In this blog post, we will understand the best jobs for mental health. We will gain insight into considerations to make while hunting for jobs. Moreover, we will list the signs indicating poor mental health due to job stress, followed by a list of unideal employment for mental health.

Best Jobs for Mental Health

The best jobs for mental health are as follows:

• psychologist
• counsellor
• data scientists
• Marine scientists
• fitness instructor
• health professionals
• horticulturist

Psychologist or Counselor

This job allows you to help others dealing with mental health problems. If you have undergone any psychological and emotional challenges yourself, you would be more empathetic and understand their situation. Helping them would be highly satisfying. 

Data scientists

Data scientists are typically healthy and satisfied with their job. They gather, interpret, implement, and preserve facts and figures. The pay is excellent, and the opportunities are plentiful. It entails exciting and purposeful work and calls on being strategic and imaginative. You will engage your brain while working as a data scientist. 

These factors make this job an excellent choice for people looking to stay mentally healthy and satisfied.

Marine scientists

One can maintain their health if they enjoy what they do. Marine scientists travel and carry out their responsibilities in various ecosystems, such as forests and coral reefs. Every project has its charms and can be a humbling experience as you become one with nature. 

This job can be productively challenging as you may be required to find ways to record the fishes’ size and species, navigate using a compass, count fish, and lie transect lines simultaneously. All of these responsibilities are carried out while underwater.

Fitness instructors

Working in the field of health and fitness can be incredibly satisfying. Fitness instructors may be choreographers, running coaches, personal trainers in the gym, or yoga and pilates instructors, among others. This job enables one to live an active life, which is beneficial to physical and emotional well-being.  

It also entails flexibility to choose your work setting, from home to parks and beaches, which can be highly rewarding.

Health professionals

Indeed other professions in the healthcare industries, such as doctors and veterinarians, experience high stress. However, health professionals like massage therapists, dieticians, physiotherapists, and chiropractors, report leading satisfying careers. 

The people who are drawn to these professions are likely to be empathetic and nurturing, which in itself can have a positive impact on mental health. The services they offer uplift the health of their clients, which can be incredibly incentivizing and rewarding.

Horticulturist

Horticulturists may work as gardeners, landscapers, florists, or in greenhouses and botanic gardens. Being around plants is known to boost physical and mental health. You are close to nature and may work outdoors, which provides an ample dose of vitamin D. such factors can stimulate cognitive abilities, which in turn, can be rewarding and almost meditative.  

Considerations While Job-Searching

Before choosing a career, there are several considerations to bear in mind to find one suitable for your mental and physical health. Job satisfaction is crucial for maintaining a healthy life, and the responsibilities as well as the environment, play an integral role in determining job satisfaction. 

Following is a list of crucial considerations to remember during your job-hunt:

Company Culture

Check out reviews for the company, which are available on multiple online platforms. Specifically, look for comments that relate to responsibilities and work ethic. If you notice too many negative reviews, sincerely reconsider applying to the organization. 

Positive ones also can provide great insight into the company’s functioning. Take a look at their social media pages, including LinkedIn and Instagram. Notice their professionalism and how they display their company culture and ethic. Check out the activities they carry out, their policies, whether the workspace seems enjoyable, and the insider insights they provide.

Refer to awards like “Top Employer” or “Amazing Work Experience,” not only for which companies are awarded these, but also to understand the criteria to win them. 

You can consider checking out the company’s financial health, particularly if you want to work for a startup. There may be excitement, but there may also be chaos and unpredictability, which you need to be able to handle. 

Most importantly, look at their website to understand the compensation and benefits, policies, diversity, inclusiveness, and other finer details, including their stance on topics like environment and sustainability. All of this speaks volumes about the organization.

Job Profile

Take time to understand the job profile thoroughly. Read the terms and conditions, and watch out for red flags, such as: 

• Flexible working hours:

No nine-to-five job could imply that they may ask you to work for extended hours.

• Flexibility to work outside of regular hours:

Be prepared to work in the evenings and on weekends frequently.

• Resistance to stress

Intense work and excessive pressure can be anticipated. 

• Proactive and hands-on:

This description often suggests too much independence to the point of little to no guidance.

• A calm demeanor and gravitas even when under tremendous pressure:

High demands, extreme pressure, unhealthy competition, and difficult responsibilities may be expected.

• Tenacious and resilient:

You may expect a volatile environment with frequent changes and tight deadlines

Therefore, you must look beyond merely the associated responsibilities and required work experience. 

Finally, if you feel unsure or have a bad feeling about the work stress, try to trust your gut. It shows that organizations are okay with displaying such job profiles without considering what they are putting out to potential applicants. However, if you still are eager to apply, consider clarifying things during the interview to understand more about the work environment. 

Interviews

This is an excellent way to understand more about the organization and expected work-life balance. Although interviews are typically viewed as necessitating a portrayal of the most desirable version of yourself, it is also the ideal opportunity to ask questions and clarify things with the employer to make a more confident decision regarding working there.

Ask questions regarding work hours, teammates, management approach, and other relevant work aspects. 

Moreover, pay heed to the kinds of questions they are asking, particularly ones related to coping under stress and availability on weekends. These are indicators of red flags.

Look into the benefits they are offering as well. Although there may be enticing benefits, such as free lunches and frequent breaks, they do not compensate for inconsiderate coworkers and toxic work environments. Therefore, perks must be viewed only for what they are – additional advantages.

Mental health advocates

Some organizations attempt to support employees’ mental well-being by offering employment assistance programs, stress management resources, and other wellness packages. Such offers are positive signs, which indicate commitment and dedication toward being compassionate about employees. 

Check out their websites directly or look at EAP servicers to know their clientele. The ideal way to find out more is to talk to current employees, who can provide a great insight into the company’s overall functioning. 

Signs that Indicate Poor Mental Health due to Job Stress

There are a few indicators that point toward poor mental health owing to job stress:

• Constantly dreading work;
• Always stressed; 
• Fear while working;
• Always feeling like there is too much to do;
• Sleep habits are poor;
• Physical difficulties;
• Feeling continuous anxiety;
• Social withdrawal;
• Not spending time with loved ones;
• Irritability; and
• Lack of self-care.

There may be times when the work environment, and not the job per se, leads to the problems listed above.

Unideal Jobs for Mental Health

Several jobs are harmful to mental health and could potentially cause psychological disorders, including anxiety and depressive disorders. These jobs include:

• Dentist
• Social Worker
• Veterinarian
• Manual Labourer
• Teacher
• Doctor or Nurse

Conclusion

In this blog post, we found out the best jobs for mental health. We came across considerations to make while searching for jobs, signs that indicate poor mental health resulting from job stress, and unideal jobs for mental health. 

Frequently Asked Questions: Best Jobs for Mental Health

References

https://www.houseofwellness.com.au/wellbeing/mental-wellness/best-jobs-physical-mental-wellness

https://www.paymoapp.com/blog/mental-health/