Program

Community Mental Health Work

Faculty
Health Sciences
Department
Mental Health and Personal Support Work
Credits
15.75
Length of Program
One semester
Credential Type
Certificate
Campus
Coquitlam
Learning Format
Full-time
Admission Type
Limited Enrolment
Offered
Summer

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

  1. FoodSafe Level 1
  2. 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 *
  1. 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
Anguilla
Antigua 
Australia 
Bahamas 
Barbados 
Belize 
Bermuda
British Virgin Islands Cayman Island 
Canada*

 

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
United Kingdom (England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland)
United States of America (USA)
US Virgin Islands

 

 

 

 

 

*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

Curriculum Framework

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

HCSW 1155

Foundations of Community Mental Health Work Practice

3.00

HCSW 1170

Concepts for Mental Health Practice 

3.00

HCSW 1180

Recovery in Mental Health

3.00

HCSW 1190

Therapeutic Relationships in Mental Health

3.25

HCSW 1195

Clinical Practice I for CMHWs

0.75

HCSW 1200

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