Profile: Mike Kempt
Answers to social disparity
As a social worker of 13 years, Mike Kempt is guided by the belief that many social factors influence people’s mental health; not genetic and psychological influences alone. Such influences include poverty, racism, education, physical and intellectual ability, domestic violence, employment, spirituality and culture.
“Evaluating how these factors restrict people from being able to stay mentally healthy can add to our evolving understanding of mental health and subsequent approaches to any models of recovery.”
Mike believes the social work bias of working collaboratively alongside people, as opposed to doing something ‘to’ people is particularly helpful when working in mental health.
“It not only places power back in the hands of people who are already potentially vulnerable as a result of their mental health, but allows for an inclusive approach, gives options and provides choice about pathways to recovery.”
Having connection with others and sufficient resources to work toward your goals and dreams are two primary factors that contribute to good mental health; they are also foundations to good social work practice, explains Mike.
“One reason people encounter poor mental health is because they feel alone, isolated, alienated and unsupported within their community. To be able to reconnect people with the many resources available increases a sense of belonging, and provides access to a range of resources that can strengthen both individuals and families.”
Mike enrolled in a social worker degree in his early twenties, attracted by the opportunity to explore areas such as social policy, sociology and psychology. He was looking for study that would help him understand people better and provide answers to why such social disparities existed.
Before going to university Mike had worked in a variety of jobs, including retail and sales, installation of beds and furniture and building.
“With the installation work I was going into a wide cross section of people’s homes which really opened my eyes to how other people lived in the same city as me and gave me plenty to think about.”
On graduating, Mike found a job as a residential social worker position in a mental health organisation. Until this point he hadn’t really thought about working in the mental health sector. The job involved helping people in the community who were experiencing a decline in mental health and needed 24/7 support. He worked within a small team, managing a caseload of people, helping residents with daily tasks, running groups (personal development, recreation and vocational) and managing any crisis that emerged. The mental health sector became increasingly interesting to him.
Then an opportunity arose with Adventure Specialties Trust to train and work as an outdoor instructor with school students, people with intellectual and physical disabilities, refugee and migrant people, individuals with addictions, families and long term unemployed. An innovative move, it combined Mike’s passion for outdoor activities with social work ideals and gave him the chance to explore how the outdoors could work as an intervention for development and change.
“I have a real passion for the outdoors and have personally developed a lot through outdoor pursuits, so I was keen to take that further. Outdoor activities engage the mind, body and emotions and can be really activating for people.”
The role involved a lot of group work that broadened his skills in facilitation, group management, personal development and conflict resolution.
“Dealing with conflicts in the wilderness with young people really sharpens your ability to facilitate and find solutions. It was also another fantastic experience to work alongside people from a broad cross section of the population.”
After three years he moved back to mental health social work and worked for six years with the Canterbury District Health Board in mental health services ranging from general adult and people experiencing a first episode of psychosis, to child and youth mental health and refugee and migrant mental health.
“This developed my understanding of the clinical nature of symptoms, as understood within the medical model of psychiatric care. I also learned more about the systems people need to negotiate to access appropriate care for themselves and their families.”
This period of work provided a solid basis of knowledge and networks for his current role within the Primary Care Mental Health general practitioner (GP) Liaison Team at Partnership Health PHO GPs in Christchurch. Mike is one of three social workers – all male – working alongside five mental health nurses, an occupational therapist and a clinical psychologist.
Patients are referred by GPs to the team if they are experiencing symptoms associated with a decline in mental health. These symptoms are usually inhibiting their daily functioning in some way.
“Our role is to provide an initial psychiatric assessment and to assist with either a referral onto specialist and community services and/or to continue with short term follow up of up to five sessions. This involves exploring strategies to assist in reducing the impact of the person’s symptoms and to subsequently improve their daily living.”
Helping people get assistance before they become too unwell is very rewarding, says Mike.
“Often people will be experiencing a decline in their mental health for the first time. To be able to facilitate an understanding of what is happening, provide reassurance that they are not alone and to connect them with appropriate strategies and pertinent community resources can reduce immediate anxieties. As a result we often see people gain hope, grow stronger and ultimately get better, which is the definitely the most enjoyable part of the job.”
The position, which involves a large degree of autonomy in practice, also involves liaison activities with specialist mental health services and other community agencies.
While loving the role, Mike would like to find a way in the future to combine his social work background and outdoor interests again.
Page last updated: 12 November 2009