Community Mental Health Work
DOMESTIC APPLICATIONS
Summer 2024: Program Closed
We are launching the Mental Health and Substance Use Certificate, starting in Fall 2024.
Overview
Learn to apply the principles of recovery using psychosocial rehabilitation with the Certificate in Community Mental Health Work. You'll learn how to support people with mental health issues to maximize their independence, as well as how to lead group sessions on health, wellness, managing symptoms and setting boundaries. You'll also get practical experience in mental health clinical practice settings.
Further education
With an additional semester of study you can obtain a Certificate in Health Care Assisting, which when combined with the Community Mental Health Work Certificate, equips you with both physical and mental-health-care skills.
Job opportunities
Surveys show that 100 percent of our Community Mental Health Worker graduates are working in the field after graduation. (Source: B.C. Student Outcomes).
NOTE: International students are not currently eligible for this program. For more information, contact Douglas College International.
Admissions Requirements
Applicants must meet the admission requirements listed below:
General College Admission Requirements
- FoodSafe Level 1
- Academic Requirements: English 11 (or equivalent) or Standardized English Language proficiency test score – As detailed below:
Native English Speakers
Applies to individuals who have a minimum of 7 years of education in an English-speaking environment* Further details can be found here under ‘English Proficiency Requirement’: http://www.douglascollege.ca/programs-courses/general-information/admissions
Requirements:
- English 11 or equivalent *
- Evidence of one of the following with a minimum of a C grade:
-Proof of completion of Grade 11 English Or
Composition 11,
Creative Writing 11,
Literary Studies 11,
New Media 11,
Spoken Language 11,
EFP Literary Studies and Writing 11,
EFP Literary Studies and New Media 11
EFP Literary Studies and Spoken Language 11
OR
Accuplacer Assessment:
11 level or higher Reading Comprehension: 254
Write placer: 4
*availability of this exam for assessment purposes, subject to change
2. Completion of Douglas College Self- Declaration Form (can be obtained Online – as shown on following page)
Non-Native English Speakers
Requirements:
Standardized English Language proficiency test score
Evidence of one of the following test scores:
1. The Test of English as Foreign Language (TOEFL): test must be within the last two years- minimum score of 80, with no score lower than 20 in Speaking and Listening and no score lower than 18 in Reading and Writing.
2. International English Language Testing System (IELTS): Academic or General- test must be within the last two years- minimum overall score of 6 with no band lower than 6.
3. Canadian Language Benchmark Placement Test (CLB PT): test must be taken within the past six months: Minimum test scores: Listening 8, Speaking 8, Reading 7 and Writing 7
4. Canadian Academic English Language Assessment (CAEL): test must be within the last two years- minimum overall score of 60, with no section less than 50.
*Countries with English language systems/institutions (Where English is a primary, official language and the language used for education)
American Samoa
|
Dominica Falkland Islands Fiji Ghana Grenada Guam Guyana Irish Republic Jamaica Kenya Malta |
Mauritius Montserrat New Zealand Seychelles Singapore South Africa St. Kitts and Nevis St. Lucia St. Vincent Trinidad and Tobago Turks and Caico Islands |
Uganda
|
*Applicants educated in Quebec at an institution where the language of instruction was not English, must meet the current English Language proficiency requirements.
Non-Academic Admission Requirements
Upon Offer:
- A Criminal Record Check from the Ministry of Justice, including clearance to work with vulnerable adults will be required. This must be done through Douglas College. Specific Instructions will be provided by the CMHW Program Admissions Officer.
- Complete an Informed Medical Suitability Declaration (to be completed on Douglas College Form) and a physician's note may be required.
- Submit a current record of immunity or immunization for Hepatitis B.
- Submit proof of negative TB skin test or chest X-ray, taken within 4 months prior to starting the program and classes. This may need to be repeated if student was tested more than six months prior to the first clinical experience, or as required by Health Authorities.
Other:
- We strongly recommend you attend an information session.
- A personal interview with the Program Coordinator may be requested.
Program Outcomes:
A student will graduate with a Community Mental Health Work (CMHW) Certificate under the following conditions; the student has successfully completed the CMHW program and did not graduate from the Douglas College Health Care Assistance (HCA) Certificate program within three years.
A student will graduate with a Health Care Support Work (HCSW) Certificate under the following conditions; the student has successully completed the Douglas College HCA certificate and the CMHW certificate within three years of entry.
Cost
Calculate your tuition and see the approximate cost of taking your program at Douglas College with the tuition & fee estimator. See costs broken down into categories including tuition fees, textbooks, student activity fees, U-Pass and more.
For more information, refer to the tuition fee charts.
Program Requirements
Graduation Requirements For Students Completing By Summer 2023:
- Successful completion of 15.75 credits
- Achieve 65% (C+) or higher in Graded courses and Mastery in Clinical Practice courses
- At least 50% (7 credits) of all courses must be completed at Douglas College
- Time limit to complete program graduation requirements: four (4) years
Graduation Requirements For Students Completing After Summer 2023:
- Successful completion of 15.75 credits
- Achieve 65% (C+) or higher in Graded courses and Mastery in Clinical Practice courses
- At least 50% (7 credits) of all courses must be completed at Douglas College
- Require a minimum program GPA of 2.33
- Time limit to complete program graduation requirements: four (4) years
Course Requirements:
Course Number | Course Title | Credits |
Foundations of Community Mental Health Work Practice |
3.00 |
|
Concepts for Mental Health Practice |
3.00 |
|
Recovery in Mental Health |
3.00 |
|
Therapeutic Relationships in Mental Health |
3.25 |
|
Clinical Practice I for CMHWs |
0.75 |
|
Clinical Practice II for CMHWs |
2.75 |
|
Total Credits |
|
15.75 |
Program Guidelines
Program Guidelines for previous years are viewable by selecting the version desired. If you took this program and do not see a listing for the starting semester / year of the program, consider the previous version as the applicable version.
More Information
Personal traits which help a student succeed in this program include:
- Sensitivity to the needs of others
- Ability to problem-solve effectively in a limited time span
- Ability to manage time effectively and handle responsibility
- Ability to perform basic home management and cooking skills
- Ability to speak confidently with people of all ages
- Ability to develop self-awareness
- Ability to be self-directed in their own learning
- Ability to be flexible
Special academic requirements
These requirements apply to all program options. See individual program options for additional program requirements.
- Standard First Aid and CPR Level C certificate is required prior to first clinical placement.
Health Region On-line Orientation (Student Practice Education Core Orientation) completion is required prior to first clinical placement. Information will be provided during program orientation.
NOTE: A driver’s license allowing unaccompanied vehicle operation and access to a vehicle are strongly recommended.
Tuition deposit
When offered a full-time seat in this program a non-refundable, non-transferable $350 tuition deposit is required.
Career Pathways
Graduates are able to apply the principles of Psychosocial Rehabilitation (PSR) to assist individuals in a variety of settings, including care facilities, day treatment centres and group homes.
Career opportunities include:
- Aboriginal Mental Health Practitioner
- Child Protection Officer
- Community Development Officer
- Community Mental Health Worker
- Community Support Services Case Worker
- Crisis Intervention Worker
- Disability Services Worker
- Halfway House Support Worker
- Health Coach Housing Support Worker
- Juvenile Justice Officer