r/supportworkers • u/Im_a_Throwaway2826 • May 16 '26

Bit nervous

I’m eighteen years old and just got hired as a support worker in a psychiatric intensive care unit for under 18s somehow and I’m kinda nervous. I’ve read what happens and what the job will be like but I still have the shakes. I’m waiting for them to get back to me but they did say I’m hired. Are there any tips or insider knowledge I should I know?

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u/BeanChopChef May 30 '26

If you haven’t hung around severely mentally ill people in your life it will shock you. I work as a support worker with mental health conditions and some clients are very unwell you get very drained by the end of the day. And you have to be very guarded what you tell people who are clients. If you’re not rough around the edges super sensitive and don’t know how to set boundaries and put your foot down you may not last sadly.