Helping others is your passion
Our mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through to adulthood. It includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being and affects how we handle stress and make choices. If you are patient, compassionate, and keen to help others and are interested in a career in the mental health and addictions field, this is what you need to know.
The need for trained practitioners in the mental health and addictions field is critical. In this program you will learn how to assess clients’ emotional or health-related needs and develop action plans to support those clients. Through in-depth lectures and developing and honing practical skills, you will be prepared to enter the mental health and addictions field.
The Mental Health and Addictions program covers a wide range of topics, such as pharmacology and dependency, addictions, mental health services, interviewing & helping skills, assessment and case management, psychology, health promotion and prevention, recovery skills and prevention, and trauma-informed practices.
In this rewarding career, you will help guide others as they navigate their healing journey.
Program Highlights
- Choose to learn either in-class or via online asynchronous delivery.
- Gain knowledge, skills, and attitudes to address two of Canada’s leading health care issues – mental health and addictive behaviours.
- Learn how to examine and address service quality at the practice, program and system levels.
- Learn trauma-informed care practices.
- Develop motivational interviewing skills to support families, individuals and community-level programs that are affected by mental health and addictions issues.
- Advocate for individuals living with mental health issues and addictions, ensuring they are provided with care in a non-judgmental environment.
Did you Know?
- One in five Canadians will experience a mental illness or substance abuse problem during their lifetime.1
- Recent polling found that one in three people living in Canada reported moderate to severe mental health symptoms during the pandemic. Financial concerns, pandemic stress, isolation, and struggles with our health-care system are leading concerns among people living with a mental illness.
- Age, gender, 2SLGBTQ+, income, and employment status were the strongest predictors of mental health and substance use concerns. Some 60 per cent of 2SLGBTQ+ youth report moderate-to-severe anxiety symptoms and about 40 per cent report symptoms of depression. Although connecting with statistics can be difficult, it is important that we remember the people behind the numbers.
- Resulting from the 2017 report Towards Recovery: The Mental Health and Addictions Action Plan for Newfoundland and Labrador, a new 240,000 square foot, 6-story, 102-bed adult mental health and addictions facility is under construction, which will replace the existing Waterford Hospital
- In 2022 the NL government launched the Our Path of Resilience action plan and committed $2.5 million for mental health and addictions services and facilities, with an additional $4.5 million over the next four years.
[1]
https://ontario.cmha.ca/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/mental_health_promotion_in_ontario_2008.pdf
OBJECTIVES
Upon successful completion of this program graduates will be able to:
- Advocate for those seeking mental health services or support.
- Promote mental health and addictions awareness in communities and diverse populations.
- Practice professionalism and ethical decision-making.
- Enhance resiliency with knowledge of addictions and wellness.
- Respond to urgent mental health and addictions matters.
- Identify community services and supports for the needs and issues of individuals and groups.
- Implement effective approaches to problem solving and decision making.
- Work effectively with individuals, families, groups, interprofessional teams and organizations.
- Recognize the value of human and cultural diversity.
- Communicate with proficiency, clarity, accuracy, and confidence among clients and groups.
- Promote self-care, wellness and healthy living.
FUTURE OPPORTUNITIES
Upon successful completion of the program, graduates will be prepared for employment in a variety of roles, including, but not limited to:
- Addictions Worker
- Community Health Worker
- Crisis Intervention Worker
- Emergency Shelter Worker
- Mental Health Crisis Intervener
- Mental Health Support Worker
- Peer Supporter
- Shelter Support Worker
- Supportive Housing Worker
- Youth Outreach Worker
CERTIFICATIONS
Throughout the program, students will acquire the following industry certifications:
- Applied Suicide Intervention Skills (ASIST)
- CPI Nonviolent Crisis Intervention
- Mental Health First Aid
- Standard First Aid
ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS
Eligibility for admission requires the applicant to meet one of the following academic criteria:
1. High School
Provincial High School Graduation Certificate with a 60% average in eight level 3000 credits or equivalent
2. Comprehensive Arts and Science (CAS) Transition
Comprehensive Arts and Science Transition Certificate
3. Adult Basic Education (ABE)
Adult Basic Education (Level III) Graduation with General College Profile (or Business-Related College Profile or Degree and Technical Profile) with an average pass mark of 60%
4. Mature Student Requirements
Applicants who do not meet the education prerequisites for this program, are 19 years of age or older, and have been out of school for at least one year may be considered on an individual basis under the Mature Student Requirements; for more information regarding the Mature Student Requirements please refer to Procedure AC-102-PR Admission.
International Applicants – English Proficiency
All international applicants must meet the College’s English language proficiency requirements for acceptance into regular programs. The College will accept these recognized tests of English language proficiency (TOEFL paper based 550, TOEFL Internet based 79, TOEFL computer based 213 or equivalent, IELTS Academic Test overall band score of 6.0, or Pearson PTE 53 or greater, etc.).
If a language proficiency test other than those referenced above was used, applicants can forward for assessment.
If an international applicant has attended an educational institution (high school or post-secondary) for a period of three years or more where the official language of instruction was English, the English language proficiency test will not be required.
Note: Some programs may require specific English language requirements and proficiency scores that differ from those stated above; therefore, international applicants are advised to please refer to the specific program admission requirements as identified in the College Calendar.
AND
Please note that the following is required in order to be permitted into a field placement:
- Students require a clear Certificate of Conduct (Criminal Record Check and Vulnerability Sector Check). Students with an unclear Certificate of Conduct are advised to speak with program faculty at the beginning of the program. This Certificate can be obtained from the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary (RNC) or the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).
- Students will need to complete a Student Pre-Placement Immunizations and Communicable Diseases Screening with their Health Care Provider. Completing the immunization record will require physician's visits, blood tests, and a TB screening test; detailed instructions are included on the Student Pre-Placement Immunizations and Communicable Diseases Screening. The student is responsible for ensuring that all medical requirements are fulfilled, and the screening form complete before submission. Certain vaccinations require a series of immunizations over a period; therefore, it is essential to start the process as early as possible. The student is also responsible for all associated costs (vaccinations, laboratory testing, physician fees, certificate of conduct fees, etc.).