Lay Mental Health, Counsellor

Interactive Research and Development; Singapore; On-site; SGD 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A mental health service provider is seeking a Senior Associate to deliver front-line mental health services in Singapore. The role involves conducting mental health screenings and providing lay counselling to at-risk individuals. Candidates should have at least a High School certificate or a Bachelor's degree in Psychology, alongside 1-2 years of experience as a lay counsellor. The position offers a full-time contractual employment and demands good communication skills and a willingness to travel.

Qualifications

• At least 1-2 years working experience as a lay counsellor in mental health.
• High School Certificate or Bachelor's degree in Psychology.

Responsibilities

• Conduct screening for mild-to-moderate depression and anxiety.
• Provide individual lay counselling to eligible clients.
• Maintain confidentiality and accurate records.
• Participate in quality improvement activities.

Skills

Good communication skills

Ability to understand Isizulu

Experience with MS Office

Experience of field work

Ability and willingness to travel

Education

High School Certificate (Grade 12) or Bachelor's degree in Psychology

Studying higher qualification in mental health

Job description

Job Information

• Position Code: HRD-SA / 09-007
• Program / Project: Kuyakhanya
• Job Grade: Senior Associate
• Reporting To: Project Officer, Mental Health
• Employment Type: Full-time Contractual (closed-ended)
• Location: iLembe District, uMzinyathi District, King Cetshwayo District and Zululand District

Job Purpose

Responsible for delivering front-line mental health services within the assigned district. This includes conducting mental health screenings using approved tools, providing lay counselling to at-risk individuals who opt into services (including community members, caregivers, and early childhood development workforce members), and implementing awareness-raising activities to support demand generation.

Responsibilities

Conduct screening for mild-to-moderate depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress at both facility and community levels.

• Provide individual lay counselling and support to those meeting the criteria for project inclusion.
• Maintain excellent records and privacy of client treatment progress.
• Establish a safe environment for people to discuss personal issues.
• MH counselling services provided through phone or on-site (playhouse, CPF, or other approved site) counselling only.
• Carry out diligent programmatic data collection as required by the project.
• Maintain strict confidentiality regarding all patients, conversations, referrals, etc.
• Participate in performance improvement and continuous quality improvement activities with support from the Lay Mental Health Lead and Registered Psychological Counsellor(s).
• Attend regular staff meetings, capacity-building and mentoring sessions, and other program activities (such as events, launches, open houses, etc.).

Required Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSA)

Required Qualification

• At least High School Certificate (Grade 12) or Bachelors degree in Psychology or related field.
• Studying higher qualification in mental health (would be advantageous).

Required Experience

• 1-2 years working experience as a lay counsellor in mental health.

Required Skills

• Good communication skills.
• Ability to speak / understand the local language spoken in the community, i.e. Isizulu.
• Experience with MS Office.
• Experience of field work.
• Ability and willingness to travel to ECD facilities.