Certificate in Community Mental Health

The Certificate in Community Mental Health (CCMH) program provides a non-credit college credential for individuals wishing to enhance their foundational knowledge and skills in the field of mental health recovery. Philosophy, principles and practice in the program are based on recovery utilizing the Psychosocial Rehabilitation (PSR) approach. Fraser Health and Vancouver Coastal Health have identified PSR as a foundation of mental health care. Psychosocial Rehabilitation (PSR) "is a holistic approach that places the person - not the illness - at the center of all interventions. The wishes of the person being served direct the rehabilitation process through working partnerships that are forged between the practitioner and the individual with mental illness. Effective rehabilitation builds on a person's strengths and helps the individual to compensate for the negative effects of the psychiatric disability." (Hughes & Weinstein in Best Practices in PSR, 2000) This program is best suited for individuals interested in front-line mental health work in recovery-oriented organizations.

This program is not a part-time version of the for-credit Community Mental Health Worker Program. Completion of this program does not allow registration with the B.C. Care Aide and Community Health Worker Registry. Completion of this program does not give applicants any advanced placement to the credit program.

**Tuition and information regarding the length of each course can be found on the course pages linked below.**

Program Learning Outcomes

Program graduates will be equipped to:

• explain mental health care delivery in B.C.;
• explain the fundamental concepts and prevailing values of mental health care in B.C.;
• understand the disorders that constitute serious and persistent mental illness;
• discuss and critically reflect on the theoretical, philosophical and applied nature of psychosocial rehabilitation;
• describe mental health services’ use of PSR practices;
• understand the key methods available to assist individuals with serious and persistent mental illness in their recovery process; and
• understand the core competencies required to successfully practice PSR.

Courses

• Introduction to Mental Health (IMH), MHCP 201
• Psychosocial Rehabilitation (PSR), MHCP 203

Courses may be taken individually as long as prerequisites are met.

Admission Requirements

Admission requirements include: 

• Proof of completion of English 12 with a minimum grade of “C” or proof of equivalent as outlined in detail here 

Health care workers with current experience and documented evidence of a current knowledge base related to mental health disorders, the mental health system, best practices in mental health reform, and person-centered practice may challenge for course credit in MHCP 201. Applicants who wish to do so must submit a detailed letter listing all relevant healthcare experience and education, as well as why they believe they would benefit from skipping MHCP 201. This knowledge base is assessed by the PSR instructor.

To apply, contact our CMH Program Assistant by email at cehs@douglascollege.ca.

Tuition

Each course has its own tuition fee. Tuition is noted on the individual course pages linked above. 

Program Duration

You have up to 24 months from your start date to complete the program certificate. However, as courses are self-paced and registration is continuous, dedicated students may complete the entire program in less than the maximum time permitted.

Credential

Upon successful completion of all program requirements, you will be awarded a Douglas College Continuing Education program certificate. This certificate is issued by the Graduation Office in the Office of the Registrar.

If you have questions about the program or courses, please don’t hesitate to contact our CMH Program Assistant by email at cehs@douglascollege.ca.