The Role of a Mental Health & Wellbeing Practitioner: Mariam Juma

Hi Mariam can you tell us a bit about yourself and how you became a Mental Health and Wellbeing Practitioner?

My name is Mariam Juma and I work as a Mental Health Wellbeing Practitioner based in the Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership Trust. I began my role here in March 2022 after completing the Postgraduate Certificate in ‘Mental Health and Wellbeing Practitioner in Specialist Adult Mental Health’. Prior to this, I had studied an undergraduate degree in ‘Education Studies with Psychology’ and then went on to complete my Masters degree in ‘Psychology’. After graduating, I landed a role in Adult Social Care with the local authority, before starting my current role.

That's brilliant - so how have you reflected on your career journey and where did it all begin?

Studying and working within the Psychology field has always been a dream of mine. I first studied Psychology as an A-Level, which then continued on to degree level. Whilst studying at University, I undertook numerous roles including a ‘SEN classroom assistant’ in Primary Schools and as a recovery worker at Richmond Fellowship. My first role after graduating was a ‘Community Support Worker’ in Adult Social Care. This role involved working directly with vulnerable individuals and supporting them with different aspects of their lives such as their mental health, housing, Occupational Therapy, hospital discharges and the list goes on…! I also completed Care Act Assessments, Mental Capacity Act Assessments and Carer Assessments.

After two years in that role, I began my current role as a Mental Health Wellbeing Practitioner. 

That's some fantastic experience - so where are you in your career journey now?

I now work with vulnerable adults suffering from severe mental health difficulties. The role has two main purposes:

1. To support people with severe mental health problems, their families and carers with collaborative care planning.
2. To provide people with severe mental health problems with wellbeing focused psychological interventions based on the best available evidence.

Interventions included but not limited to, are:

• Behavioural Activation
• Graded Exposure
• Teaching Problem solving skills
• Encouraging good sleep
• Recognising and managing emotions
• Building confidence

It sounds like a busy but exciting role! - Knowing this now, what would you tell your younger self?

Finding a suitable role for me within Psychology was difficult as I felt there were not many jobs out there before Covid-19. However, due to the spike of mental health difficulties post Covid-19, I have been able to work in a role that I value. Looking back now, I would advise my younger self to research all the different career paths within the field and how they can be achieved.

Thank you Mariam, for sharing your experience of this new role.

Heather Roberts, Evgenia Karra, Sameyeh Shazan & Mariam Juma are able to share their experiences of what it's like to be a Mental Health & Wellbeing Practitioner (MHWP) in the presentation below, if you would like to find out more, click here -> MHWP Presentation