 - Aims and objectives: To identify the factors that are associated with considering a career in mental health.Background: The mental health specialty is facing a recruitment crisis in the United Kingdom but there is limited evidence about which factors encourage and discourage people to consider a career in mental health.Design: Quantitative, observational, online survey using a multiple ordinal logistic regression model to identify if there were any significant predictors of the extent to which participants would consider a career in mental health. The design and write up of the study were guided by the STROBE checklist.Method: We gathered the views of 000 participants (female = 000, 00.0%) aged between 00 and 00 (mean = 00.0, SD = 0.0), using an online survey, the majority of whom were studying on, or graduates of, psychology/social studies degrees. Information was gathered about the extent to which a range of factors influenced consideration of a career in mental health. Results: The majority (00.0%) of participants reported that they would definitely or probably consider undertaking a career in mental health, and over half (00.0%) would consider a career as a mental health nurse. The ability to help others and receiving appropriate training required for the role were important career choice factors. Being female, having a mental health condition, and greater knowledge of mental health, were associated with a significantly greater likelihood of considering a career in mental health, while having had experience of working with people with mental health difficulties was significantly negatively associated.Conclusions: Students and graduates of psychology and social studies degrees appear to be a large, untapped recruitment pool for mental health services.Relevance to clinical practice: The results can inform more targeted recruitment strategies and development of suitable career pathways for those interested in a career in mental health. 