17 Mental Health Assistant Interview Questions and Answers

Mental health assistants provide support to patients suffering from mental illness and help them manage their day-to-day lives. As a mental health assistant, you will be responsible for providing assistance with activities of daily living, such as bathing, dressing, and eating. You will also be responsible for providing transportation to doctor’s appointments and therapy sessions.

Mental health assistants must have a compassionate and caring personality, as well as the ability to handle difficult situations. If you are applying for a job as a mental health assistant, you can expect to be asked a variety of questions about your experience, skills, and qualifications. We have put together a list of the most common mental health assistant interview questions and answers to help you prepare for your next interview.

Are you comfortable working with people who have mental health issues?

This question can help interviewers determine if you have the right personality for this role. They want to know that you are compassionate and empathetic, but also able to keep your emotions in check when working with clients who may be experiencing challenging situations. Your answer should show that you understand what it’s like to work with people who need mental health assistance.

Example: “I’ve worked as a receptionist at a psychiatrist’s office for two years now, so I am very familiar with how these patients feel. I think it’s important to remember that they’re just regular people who are going through something difficult. I try to treat them with respect and compassion, even if they’re having a hard time or acting out. It’s my job to make sure they get the care they need.”

What are some of the most important skills for a mental health assistant to have?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have the skills necessary to succeed in this role. When answering, it can be helpful to mention a few of your strongest skills and how they relate to working as a mental health assistant.

Example: “I think some of the most important skills for a mental health assistant are empathy, active listening and problem-solving. These skills allow me to connect with patients on an emotional level while also helping them solve their problems. I am always willing to listen to my patients and provide support when needed.”

How would you handle a situation where a patient becomes agitated or aggressive?

Interviewers may ask this question to assess your ability to handle challenging situations. In your answer, try to demonstrate that you can remain calm and focused in these situations while also maintaining the safety of yourself and others.

Example: “I would first try to deescalate the situation by speaking calmly and reassuringly to the patient. If they became more agitated or aggressive after I spoke with them, I would call for a mental health professional who has more experience handling these types of situations. I would then assist the professional by providing any information about the patient’s condition or behavior that might be helpful.”

What is your experience with administering medication to patients?

This question can help the interviewer determine your experience with a specific task that is often part of mental health assistant work. Your answer should include information about what you’ve done in this role and how it helped patients.

Example: “In my last position, I administered medication to patients who were on psychiatric medications. This included administering pills or liquid medication at scheduled times throughout the day. It also involved monitoring patient symptoms and side effects to ensure they weren’t experiencing any issues from their medication. In one instance, I noticed a patient was having trouble sleeping after taking her medication. I spoke with her psychiatrist, and we decided to change her dosage schedule so she could sleep better.”

Provide an example of a time when you helped a patient with their daily activities.

This question can help the interviewer understand how you apply your skills to help patients. You can use examples from previous work experience or explain a time when you helped someone outside of work.

Example: “At my last job, I worked with a patient who had trouble getting out of bed in the morning. He was also having difficulty eating and drinking on his own. I would spend extra time with him during our sessions so he could practice these activities. After several weeks, he was able to perform all of these tasks independently.”

If a patient refuses to speak with you about their feelings, how would you approach the situation?

Interviewers may ask this question to assess your interpersonal skills and how you would handle a challenging situation. In your answer, try to highlight your ability to empathize with patients and use active listening techniques to encourage them to open up about their feelings.

Example: “If a patient refuses to speak with me about their feelings, I would first try to understand why they’re hesitant to talk. Sometimes, it’s because they don’t feel comfortable talking to someone of the opposite sex or they have had negative experiences in the past. If that’s the case, I would reassure them that I’m here to help and offer to find another mental health professional who could better meet their needs.”

What would you do if you noticed another patient exhibiting concerning behavior that you thought might be harmful to themselves or others?

An interviewer may ask this question to assess your ability to recognize and report concerning behavior. In your answer, describe the steps you would take to ensure that a patient’s safety is maintained while also maintaining their privacy.

Example: “If I noticed another patient exhibiting concerning behavior, I would first try to speak with them in private about my concerns. If they were receptive to speaking with me, I would listen to what they had to say and offer support or resources as needed. If they were unresponsive or unwilling to talk, I would alert my supervisor so that we could discuss how best to proceed. Ultimately, I would want to ensure that the patient was safe without violating their privacy.”

How well do you understand the different types of mental illnesses and their symptoms?

The interviewer may ask this question to assess your knowledge of mental health and the types of illnesses that exist. This can help them determine if you have the necessary experience to work in a mental health office. In your answer, try to list as many different types of mental illnesses as you know. You can also mention how you would approach helping someone with each illness.

Example: “I’ve worked in mental health for five years now, so I am quite familiar with the different types of mental illnesses. Some of the more common ones include depression, anxiety disorders, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. When working with patients who suffer from these conditions, I always make sure to listen carefully to what they say. Then, I offer advice on how they can manage their symptoms.”

Do you have any questions for us about the position or company?

This is your chance to show the interviewer that you’ve done your research and are genuinely interested in the job. It’s also a good time to ask any questions you have about the company culture or how you can contribute to it.

Example: “I was impressed by the work you do here, especially with regards to mental health awareness. I’m passionate about this cause as well, so I’d love to know more about what you’re doing to support it. Also, I noticed there were no openings for an RN at this facility. Is there any way I could get involved in helping patients? Perhaps I could volunteer my time?”

When performing your duties, do you prefer to work alone or with others?

Working as a mental health assistant can be an independent job, but it’s also important to work well with others. Employers ask this question to make sure you’re able to collaborate and communicate effectively with your colleagues. In your answer, explain that you enjoy working both independently and collaboratively. Explain how you are able to do both successfully.

Example: “I am comfortable working alone, however I prefer to work in a team environment. When working on projects or tasks with my coworkers, we can share ideas and support each other. Working together makes the job more enjoyable and productive. I have found that when working alone, I can focus better and get more done. However, I always welcome feedback from my supervisor.”

We want to ensure our patients have access to the resources they need. How would you go about finding a resource if we didn’t have one on-site?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you would use your initiative to find resources for patients. Use examples from previous experience where you found a resource that helped you or others in your work.

Example: “I have worked with several mental health professionals who didn’t have access to certain resources, so I started an online database of mental health resources. This allowed us to find and connect with other professionals who had similar needs. In my current role, we are able to refer our patients to this database when they need additional support.”

Describe your experience working with patients of different ages.

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your experience working with patients of different ages. This can be an important skill for mental health assistants, as they often work with children and adolescents who are experiencing behavioral or emotional issues. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe a specific situation in which you worked with a patient of a different age than you.

Example: “I have extensive experience working with patients of all ages. In my last role, I worked primarily with adults, but I also had the opportunity to work with children and adolescents on occasion. For example, I once helped a child practice their social skills by practicing conversation with me. It was rewarding to see them improve over time.”

What makes you an ideal candidate for this position?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your qualifications and how you can contribute to their team. Before your interview, make a list of all the skills and experiences that make you an ideal candidate for this role. Focus on highlighting your soft skills such as communication, organization and teamwork.

Example: “I am passionate about helping others, which is why I chose to pursue a career in mental health care. Throughout my education, I have learned many techniques for supporting clients with various mental illnesses. In addition, I am highly organized and detail-oriented, which makes me great at following protocols and procedures. My ability to work well under pressure also helps me stay calm when working with challenging clients.”

Which mental health areas do you want to specialize in?

This question helps employers determine if you have a passion for the mental health field. They want to know that you are committed to working in this industry and will be an asset to their team. When answering, think about which areas of mental health interest you most. Consider what led you to this career path and why you chose to pursue it.

Example: “I am passionate about helping children with mental health issues. I worked as a camp counselor during college, and I saw how much kids enjoyed my presence. I realized that I wanted to help others like me who were struggling with mental illness. I also love working with adults who suffer from anxiety or depression. I find it rewarding to see them feel better after just one session.”

What do you think is the most important thing to remember when working with patients who have mental health issues?

This question can help interviewers understand your values and how you approach working with patients. Your answer should show that you are empathetic, compassionate and patient when interacting with others.

Example: “I think the most important thing to remember is that everyone has their own unique story. I try to be as understanding as possible of each person’s situation and what they’re going through. It’s also important to remember that mental health issues don’t define a person. Everyone deserves respect and kindness no matter what challenges they may be facing.”

How often do you see patients with mental health issues?

This question can help interviewers understand your experience with mental health patients. If you have worked in a psychiatric facility, describe the types of patients you saw and how often you interacted with them. If you haven’t had much experience working with mental health patients, explain what you would do if you encountered one.

Example: “In my previous position as an office assistant at a psychiatrist’s office, I helped schedule appointments for patients and answered phones. Occasionally, I assisted patients who needed to reschedule or cancel their appointments. In this role, I learned about many different mental health issues and symptoms.”

There is a shortage of mental health professionals in our area. How would you convince us that you’d be a good fit for our facility?

This question is a great way to see how much research you’ve done on the facility and community. It also shows that you are passionate about your career choice and want to make an impact in this role.

Example: “I have noticed there is a shortage of mental health professionals in this area, which is why I am so excited to be interviewing for this position. I would love to work with you all to help fill this need. I believe my passion for helping others and strong communication skills will allow me to provide excellent care to patients who need it most.”