Program Overview
Our Mental Health and Addictions Support Worker Certificate program provides entry-level competencies needed for employment in the field of mental health and addictions. In contemporary society, there is an increasing demand for mental health and addictions support workers. Our certificate program aims to prepare students to work as part of a multi-disciplinary team, focusing on client treatment and rehabilitation. Graduates of the program can choose to work in a variety of settings including institutional, community or residential.
Topics Covered/Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this certificate program, successful students will have reliably demonstrated the ability to:
- Understand the broad range of perspectives that are applied to explain mental illness, substance use, substance use disorder and addictions
- Understand the prevalence and distribution of mental illness and substance abuse within Canada
- Identify the risk factors for mental illness and substance abuse
- Recognize ways to reduce risk, especially relating to substance abuse
- Appreciate steps taken by the public health system in Canada to promote mental health
- Identify public systems and organizations which exist both in Canada and internationally to assist with mental health issues and substance abuse
- Identify risk factors and warning signs of mental health issues, related disorders, ways to cope, and tips to promote mental health
- Understand key points about disorders and their treatment option
- Understand treatment essentials and ways to get help
- Recognize Concurrent Disorders
- Identify factors influencing treatments
- Understand health promotion, prevention and harm reduction efforts in Canada
- Understand the structure and delivery of services for individuals, families and communities
- Reduce risks and harms associated with mental health and addictions
Program Organization
| Title of Course/Practicum Component * | # of Hours* |
|---|---|
| MHASW 01 – Introduction to Mental Health | 60 |
| MHASW 02 – Mental Illness and Interventions | 80 |
| MHASW 03 – Concurrent Disorders and More Complex Case Work | 80 |
| MHASW 04 – Health Promotion, Prevention and Harm Reduction | 80 |
| MHASW 05 – Practicum | 60 |
Career Options
- Mental Health Support Worker
- Mental Health Rehabilitation Worker
- Community Mental Health Worker
- Mental Health and Addictions Support Worker
Course Descriptions
Introduction to Mental Health (60 hours)
This course introduces students to the study of mental health, mental illnesses and substance use. A wide variety of issues will be explored including patterns of distribution, risk factors, and efforts made by society to prevent and treat mental health issues.
Mental Illness and Interventions (80 hours)
Concurrent Disorders and More Complex Casework (80 hours)
Health Promotion, Prevention and Harm Reduction (80 hours)
Practicum (60 hours)
Admission Requirements
Applicants must meet the requirements of our Admissions Policy:
- BC Secondary School Graduation (Grade 12) or equivalent OR Mature Student status.
- Excellent communication skills in written or oral English. Before prospective students can be admitted, they must meet the College English Language Proficiency requirements.
Applicants should also provide the following additional documents. These additional mandatory requirements apply before commencing practicums and not at the time of admission.
- Clear criminal records search for the vulnerable sector;
- TB test and/or X-ray and Certificate of Health;
NOTE: We have made special temporary arrangements to accept the result of the Duolingo Online Test for those Applicants who are unable to access our existing English Language Proficiency testing options due to test centre closures. Please refer to this memorandum for further information.
Required Materials
- A list of recommended and required readings will be provided by instructors
Fees
Tuition fees for this program are due and payable 2 weeks prior to the cohort start date. Students with guaranteed funding arrangements will be exempt from this requirement provided they produce proof of funding before the cohort start date.
All formats of the program are eligible for Canada Student Loans, other forms of government funding, and bank financing. However, students are responsible for making their own funding arrangements and are advised to contact the relevant funder well in advance of the start date to make an application.
Application and tuition fees for this program are as follows:
Application fee: $200 (Domestic Students)
Tuition fee (Online): $5400 (Domestic Students)
Note: Tuition fees do not include the cost of the required textbooks.
Technical Requirements
Live Online Students
Ashton College uses web conferencing tools to help instructors and students connect and collaborate live online. For the online classes, students need to have a fully functional computer system with a webcam, speakers and microphone or headset and headphones, along with a reliable high-speed internet connection. Though the classes can be accessed using smartphones and tablets, we recommend using a laptop or desktop computer for a better learning experience.
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